Olympiacos confirms coach Mendilibar while AEK prepares for Champions League playoffs

Following their elimination from the Champions League qualifiers by Dutch side Nijmegen, Olympiacos held a high-stakes meeting between owner Evangelos Marinakis and head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar. The club officially announced that the Basque manager will continue in his role, with both parties agreeing on the need for immediate reinforcements in the squad and changes to the scouting department. The team is now shifting focus to their upcoming domestic league opener against Atromitos on August 22.

Meanwhile, AEK Athens has confirmed their 22-man roster for the final stage of Champions League qualification, omitting players like James Penrice and Niclas Eliasson. AEK is set to face Levski Sofia in a two-legged playoff, with the first match scheduled for August 18 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Bulgaria, rather than the Levski home ground. The return leg will follow on August 26 at the Allwyn Arena. AEK remains focused on securing their place in the League Phase of the tournament, while Levski Sofia advanced to this stage after defeating Kairat Almaty in both legs of the previous qualifying round.