Panathinaikos turn to Markarian

Coached Paraguay
The 57-year-old Uruguayan, who returns to coach in Greece after a two-year absence, replaces Ioannis Kyrastas, who left Panathinaikos last week after less than six months in charge. Markarian earned much admiration in Greece when he coached Ionikos to fifth place in the Ethniki Katigoria during the 1998/99 season and has since steered Paraguay into the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. He lost his job after Paraguay were beaten by Venezuela and Colombia in their final two qualifying games.

Eighteen-month deal
Panathinaikos lie sixth in the table in Greece and bottom of Champions League Group C with only one point from their two opening second group stage matches. Markarian, who has signed a contract until June 2003, said: "There is nothing to stop us from succeeding. It is an important and very difficult job, but with hard work there usually follows success. I believe in the club, the players and our work ahead. We are going to work 24 hours a day and I will give all my energy to make this club succeed."

'It will be tough'
Citing his aims, Markarian added: "Our goal is to continue both to the next stage in Europe and also to win a place in next season's Champions League by finishing as high as possible in the league. We know it will be tough but this is our aim. There is real prestige attached to working at Panathinaikos but so little time to work together and get results. Not everything is in our hands in the Greek league because if league leaders AEK [Athens] don't lose then we can't overhaul them."

President's wish
Markarian said he believed his spell at Ionikos had got him the job. "I'm here only because I coached Ionikos and they know me from that time," he said. Panathinaikos president Angelos Filipidis said of the Uruguayan: "We wish him every success and hope his work leaves a stamp on the club and that he writes his own successful chapter in Panathinaikos history."