APOEL part company with Thomas Doll

Cypriot champions APOEL FC have sacked their German manager Thomas Doll, soon after losing to Nicosia rivals Olympiacos 2-0 away at the weekend and ahead of their Europa League tie against Sevilla FC.

In a statement by the club on Monday, APOEL said it had ended its “cooperation with coach Thomas Doll by mutual consent”.

“He took the team through a difficult time and managed to fulfil his first major goal in qualifying for the UEFA Europa League group stage and then progressing to the last 32,” the statement added.

“We wish him all the best for the continuation of his professional career and personal life.”

APOEL said team responsibilities have been taken on by Cypriot coach Loukas Hadjilouka, the club did not specify whether his appointment was temporary.

He is expected to be in charge for Thursday’s home game against Sevilla.

Cypriot media speculated that Doll lost his job because of poor performances even though APOEL’s defeat to Olympiacos Nicosia on Saturday was their first of the season. APOEL are currently in third place in the league with games in hand.

Doll, 53, was appointed in August after APOEL lost 2-1 at home to Azerbaijan’s Qarabaq in a Champions League qualifier.

Doll is a well-known German manager and footballer who wore the jersey of teams likes Hansa Rostock, Hamburger SV, Lazio, and Eintracht Frankfurt and Bari, while playing 43 times for East Germany and 18 for Germany after reunification.

As a manager, he built a name for himself working at German clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Hannover 96.