Santos out at Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos FC coach Fernando Santos has parted company with the club by mutual consent following a meeting with major shareholder Yiannis Vardinoyiannis.

Short reign
Santos spent just four months at the helm of the Greek club, losing his first three games in charge and scraping through the UEFA Cup first-round tie with PFC Litex Lovech in extra time. In the next round the Panathinaikos face a stern test against Turkish side Fenerbahçe SK.

Caretaker coaches
Santos's former assistants Jasminko Velic and Jorge Rosario have been put in temporary charge of team affairs. His departure means that for the third year running Panathinaikos have changed coaches in mid-season - indeed this has now been the case in 17 of the last 35 seasons.

Portugal post
Contrary to reports in Greece, Santos has denied any contact with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) over the Portugal coach's job. The present incumbent, caretaker Agostinho Oliviera, is reportedly due to leave the post in the coming days to return to the under-21s, with Manuel José the man tipped to replace him.