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Jacek Gmoch Returns as Panathinaikos Coach!

Jacek Gmoch has made a surprise return to top level management as caretaker boss for Greek champions Panathinaikos FC.
The 71-year-old Pole was named as the temporary replacement for Nikos Nioplias, who left the Athens club by mutual consent on Monday.
Nioplias led Panathinaikos to both the Super League and the Greek Cup after taking over from Henk ten Cate last December.  Despite currently leading the Super League on goal difference from Olympiakos FC, the Greens’ form has been regarded as disappointing this season. Particularly dissapointing results occurred in the UEFA Champions League where they sat at the bottom of Group D. Nioplias had also been criticised for his defensive style of play.
Gmoch who led Panathinaikos for a successful period in the 1980s, comes into the caretaker’s role having not coached since departing Ionikos FC in 2003. Since that time he has worked as a football pundit and commentator.
It is a surprise appointment for many observers but Gmoch expressed his readiness for the role in saying: “I am a soldier at Panathinaikos’s service as long as they want me. It is not a time to talk, but a time to work hard.”
Gmoch will join his fellow Pole Krzysztof Warzycha on the Panathinaikos coaching staff. Warzycha was assistant coach under Nioplias, and will continue in that position under his experienced compatriot.
Past successes
Former Poland coach Gmoch is held in high regard at Panathinaikos, having led the club in a successful period from 1983 to 1985. During that time Panathinaikos won the domestic double in 1983/84; a season after finishing fifth.  In the next season they reached the semi-finals of the European Cup, bowing out to eventual winners Liverpool.
Perhaps Gmoch’s most notable achievement in Greece came with Larissa FC, leading the club to the Greek title in 1987/88.  This was an almost unheard of feat in a footballing landscape dominated by the big three of Athens.

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