Olympiacos parts ways with José Luis Mendilibar and appoints Imanol Alguacil
The Greek club ended José Luis Mendilibar's two-and-a-half-year tenure following an elimination by NEC Nijmegen and a league draw in Volos, naming Basque coach Imanol Alguacil as his replacement.
Managerial change in Piraeus
Olympiacos terminated the contract of head coach José Luis Mendilibar on Wednesday evening, concluding a two-and-a-half-year tenure in Piraeus. The Greek club appointed 65-year-old fellow Basque coach Imanol Alguacil as his immediate replacement. Mendilibar, a native of Zaldibar in the Biscay province of Spain, had managed Olympiacos since 11 February 2024. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis decided to end the partnership following recent domestic and European setbacks. Fan group Gate 7 issued a statement addressing the transition, while the club published official materials commemorating the trophies won under Mendilibar.
Trophies and European campaigns
Mendilibar began his tenure in February 2024 with 1-0 victories over Ferencváros, where striker Ayoub El Kaabi scored in each leg, alongside a 4-1 league win away against PAOK at Toumba. Despite subsequent home losses to Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-1) and Panathinaikos (3-1 in the Super League playoffs), Olympiacos reversed the European tie with a 6-1 extra-time victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Serbia on 15 March 2024. Subsequent knockout victories over Fenerbahçe (3-2 in Piraeus and a penalty shootout win at Şükrü Saracoğlu) and Aston Villa (4-2 at Villa Park and 2-0 at Georgios Karaiskakis) led to the Europa Conference League title on 29 May 2024. Mendilibar also guided Olympiacos to a domestic double and a campaign in the UEFA Champions League.
- Appointed as head coach of Olympiacos
- Defeats Maccabi Tel Aviv 6-1 in Serbia after extra time to overturn a 4-1 deficit
- Secures the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy
- Draws away against Volos in Greek Super League play
- Olympiacos terminates Mendilibar's contract after two and a half years
- Farewell message published and Imanol Alguacil confirmed as successor
Tactical tensions and squad overhaul
Tensions between the coaching staff and club hierarchy grew following changes in the squad and sporting structure. Marinakis had considered ending the agreement at the close of the previous season after domestic trophies were dropped, but chose to offer an extension. Discontent increased after a European elimination against NEC Nijmegen and a league draw away against Volos on Saturday, 5 September 2026. The club ownership pointed to tactical rigidity, including persistent crossing and reliance on specific players such as midfielder Dani García. The departure of Darko Kovačević and the return of Antonio Cordón within the sporting management facilitated the coaching transition.
Mendilibar's farewell statement
Because Mendilibar does not use personal social media accounts, Olympiacos distributed his farewell statement on Thursday across its official club channels. The coach reflected on his nearly three years in Greece and thanked Marinakis for the opportunity to manage the club.
I want to thank Mr Marinakis for the opportunity he gave me to coach such a large club as Olympiacos. Our relationship went beyond the boundaries of professional cooperation. It was always close, sincere and based on trust, even in difficult moments.
Mendilibar also extended his gratitude to the staff at the training centre, the players, and the Olympiacos supporters before concluding his statement.
I leave proud that I was able, during this time, to contribute so that such a large club as Olympiacos became even bigger. I am sure our paths will cross again in the future.
