Μake us preferred on Google Olympiacos FC president Evangelos Marinakis visited the club’s training center to introduce new coach Imanol Alguacil, sporting director Antonio Cordon and head of recruitment Geoffrey Moncada to the players and staff ahead of the recently commenced new season.
Addressing the squad, Marinakis said the Piraeus club had made several new signings and important changes, while he stressed that all decisions were being made in the interests of Olympiacos.
“I am happy to be here and to see you all at the start of the season, for the Europa League and, of course, the league,” Marinakis said. “We have made several new signings and some important changes, but everything we do is for the benefit of the club. For our greatest love, which is Olympiacos.”
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Marinakis also paid tribute to former coaches, players and staff members with whom the club had shared major victories and successes in recent years, saying they remained part of the Olympiacos family.
He specifically referred to José Luis Mendilibar, who left the club after a highly successful spell that included the UEFA Conference League title and the historic domestic treble during Olympiacos’ centenary season. He also mentioned former player and club executive Darko Kovacevic, with whom Marinakis has worked since taking over at Olympiacos in 2010.
“Today, I would like to introduce Imanol, the new coach,” Marinakis said.
He described Alguacil as one of the best coaches Olympiacos could have appointed, saying the Spaniard fitted the club’s mentality and winning spirit while bringing extensive experience.
Marinakis also highlighted Olympiacos’ successful relationship with Basque coaches, referring to Ernesto Valverde and Mendilibar before Alguacil.
“Our relationship with the Basques has been extremely successful,” he said. “As happened with Valverde, with Mendilibar and now with Imanol. It has been extremely good and I hope it continues for a long time.”
Turning to Cordon, Marinakis said the sporting director was already familiar with the club and had previously worked with Olympiacos. He described him as highly experienced and said the club had an excellent relationship with him.
Marinakis also introduced Moncada, who had joined the club and group as head of recruitment more than a month earlier. He pointed to Moncada’s experience with clubs including AC Milan and Monaco and said his track record spoke for itself.
“We have chosen the best team we could have,” Marinakis told the players and staff. “I want everyone here to give more than 100% so that we can achieve what we want.”
He set the club’s immediate priorities as winning the league title and going as far as possible in the Europa League.
“I am not telling you this to motivate you, but because I know you are great players, with an excellent mentality and ability, and together you can achieve miracles,” Marinakis said. “And we will succeed.”
Marinakis called on the squad to remain fully committed, give everything in training and work collectively to achieve results.
“I want to see work, commitment, results and victories,” he said. “Be healthy, be strong and we will continue achieving great things together as a family and as the excellent team that we are.”
