Greek champions Olympiakos fired head coach Takis Lemonis amid reports the Super League club have agreed terms with Spaniard Oscar Garcia Junyent.
The Piraeus giants, who have won the Greek title 44 times, announced the end of Lemonis’ fourth stint as coach via a brief statement.
“Olympiakos FC announces the termination of its cooperation with coach Takis Lemonis; he took over the team in special circumstances and the club would like to thank him for his services,” the club said.
Lemonis has been offered an alternative role, although no specific details have been revealed.
Local media reported the club are set to announce the appointment of Oscar Garcia on Friday.
The 44-year-old former Barcelona midfielder resigned as coach of French Ligue 1 side St Etienne in November citing tensions with the board.
He has also coached Maccabi Tel Aviv, Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford and Red Bull Salzburg.
Olympiakos lead the Super League by a single point in what has been one of the most exciting title races for years.
Lemonis will look back with a tinge of regret on his fourth term in the Olympiakos dugout.
The 57-year-old was brought in last September to salvage the club’s worst start to a domestic season in 30 years, replacing Besnik Hasi.
Despite guiding the team from fifth place to top spot before Christmas, he failed to lead them to the Champions League group knockout stage from a tough group including Barcelona, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon.