PAOK learns Europa League second qualifying round opponent and faces coaching transition

On June 17, 2026, the draw held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon determined that PAOK will face the winner of the tie between Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) and Universitatea Cluj (Romania) in the second qualifying round of the 2026-27 Europa League. The first leg is scheduled for July 23 away from home, with the return match taking place in Thessaloniki on July 30. Simultaneously, PAOK is in the final stages of terminating its contract with head coach Razvan Lucescu. While reports vary regarding the exact timing and nature of his departure, club management is actively vetting candidates for his replacement. Marino Pusic has been frequently cited as the primary candidate, though names like Beniat San Jose and Luis Castro have also been linked to the position. The club faces significant time constraints as pre-season training is set to begin on the following Monday, forcing immediate decisions to ensure team readiness.