Anastasiadis given push at PAOK

PAOK FC have sacked coach Angelos Anastasiadis following the 2-0 defeat by Panionios NFC on Sunday.

Disappointing start
It was the latest in a series of disappointing results for the Thessaloniki club this season, which began with defeat by Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC in UEFA Champions League qualifying. PAOK are now on the verge of elimination from the UEFA Cup too after losing 3-2 in the home leg of their first-round tie against AZ Alkmaar. The return in the Netherlands is on Thursday and whether a new man is in charge by then remains to be seen.

Third spell
It is a disappointing end to Anastasiadis's successful two years at the helm, during which he led the club to Greek Cup success in 2002/03, before overseeing their push for a third-placed finish in the Ethniki Kategoria last season. The 51-year-old had two earlier spells at the club too, from February 1997 until June 1998, before returning in September of the same year for a further six months.

Fringer interest
In an official statement the club announced they had made the decision "following the recent unsuccessful results of the squad and the negative atmosphere in the dressing room". The former Switzerland coach Rolf Fringer is the favourite to replace Anastasiadis. His coaching CV includes spells at FC Schaffhausen, VfB Stuttgart, Grasshopper-Club, FC Aarau and Apollon Limassol FC.