Kostenoglou succeeds Jiménez as AEK coach

AEK Athens FC have parted company with coach Manuel Jiménez by mutual consent and appointed former player Nikos Kostenoglou as his successor.

In a statement the UEFA Europa League contenders said Jiménez "will always be part of the club's history" for his role in their Greek Cup triumph last season, AEK's first silverware since 2002. The capital outfit finished the 2010/11 campaign in third place and this term are one of four teams with an early share of the Super League lead on nine points.

Jiménez, who had replaced Dušan Bajević 12 months ago following three years with Sevilla FC, said: "I leave AEK with fond memories. I will always keep AEK in my heart. However, it's time for a change that will benefit everybody."

Kostenoglou made over 220 league appearances for AEK between 1994 and 2005. The 41-year-old started his coaching career in the club's youth system before assisting Lorenzo Serra Ferrer and, when the Spaniard was fired, taking over as caretaker until the end of 2007/08. Most recently he was at the helm of Larissa FC after a spell with Asteras Tripolis FC.

AEK, bottom of UEFA Europa League Group L following defeats by RSC Anderlecht and SK Sturm Graz, visit FC Lokomotiv Moskva on matchday three later this month.