Daniel Podence comments on Jose Luis Mendilibar's training methods

Following the departure of manager Jose Luis Mendilibar from Olympiacos, Portuguese winger Daniel Podence shared details regarding the coach's unusual training disciplinary practices on social media. As of September 11, 2026, Podence described how Mendilibar would force players, regardless of their status, age, or professional experience, to perform forward rolls on the field as a penalty for missing finishing drills or making decisions that displeased the coaching staff.

Podence recounted a specific incident during training where a goalkeeper was forced to perform ten consecutive forward rolls in the middle of a session after failing to execute a pass correctly. The player noted that this same goalkeeper is currently the only one in the English Premier League who has not conceded a goal this season. The message, which included laughing emojis, was presented as a farewell reflection following the recent managerial change in Piraeus, highlighting the strict and unconventional discipline the players experienced under the Basque coach's tenure.