Imanol Alguacil appointed as new Olympiacos head coach following Mendilibar departure

Olympiacos officially parted ways with head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar on September 9, 2026, ending a tenure of more than two and a half years. Mendilibar, who arrived in February 2024, led the club to historic successes, including the UEFA Conference League title in 2024 and a domestic double in 2025. Following the announcement, the club swiftly appointed 55-year-old Basque coach Imanol Alguacil as his successor. Alguacil previously managed Real Sociedad from 2018 to 2025, winning the Copa del Rey in 2021, and most recently worked at Al-Shabab.

The decision to replace Mendilibar followed a period of internal assessment after recent results. Alguacil was selected after meetings in Madrid between club officials and the coach. He arrived in Athens on the night of September 9 and was scheduled to lead his first training session at the Renti facility on September 10, accompanied by a symbolic blessing ceremony. Mendilibar issued a farewell statement expressing pride in his contribution to the club and gratitude toward owner Vangelis Marinakis, while players such as Santiago Hezze shared messages of support for the outgoing manager. The club aims to reorganize its technical direction under Alguacil for upcoming domestic and European competitions.