Stramaccioni quits as Panathinaikos coach

The club announced former Greek international defender Marinos Ouzounidis, 48, had signed a 1.5-year contract to take the reins from Stramaccioni, who was a year into his two-year contract.

The 40-year-old coached Italian side Udinese and before that was in charge at Inter Milan.

This season he has led Panathinaikos to third place in the league.

But the team are on the verge of being eliminated from both the Europa League and Greek Cup.

“After a long conversation with club president Giannis Alafouzos, it was the president’s decision to protect the team from dangerous developments that are not directly related to football, and thus Andrea Stramaccioni has resigned as coach,” a club statement said.

Supporters had threatened to boycott Panathinaikos matches if Stramaccioni stayed in charge.