It has not been the best season of Laszlo Bölöni’s coaching career. The Romanian was thanked again in September at AA Gent after less than a month for rendered services. In October he went to Panathinaikos in Greece, but Greek media reported on Monday evening that Bölöni is allowed to dispose of it. With two match days to go, it is clear that the green and white will not qualify for European football for the first time in 24 years. It turned out to be the proverbial last straw.
Two match days before the end of the competition, Panathinaikos is fifth in the standings, but fourth place and the accompanying European ticket is no longer feasible. On Sunday, the club from Athens went down with the smallest difference on their own field against fellow townsman AEK. Attacker Macheda’s penalty miss in the 95th minute was extra sour.
It turned out to be the shot in the neck for Bölöni, who was lost in the Greek play-offs. Panathinaikos won only once in eight games, scoring barely seven points. The green shirts do not qualify for Europe for the first time in 24 years. Panathinaikos was also not active on the European stage for the past three seasons, but that was the result of financial problems.
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