Ketsbaia leaves Olympiakos

Olympiakos have parted company with Temuri Ketsbaia a day before their opening Champions League group game.

Greek club part company with manager

Olympiakos have parted company with Temuri Ketsbaia just a day before their opening UEFA Champions League group game. Ketsbaia only took charge of the Greek club in May and had signed a three-year contract, but he has lasted just four months in the job. Olympiakos have made it through two qualifying rounds to reach the group stage of the Champions League, while they have played just two domestic matches. They beat Larissa 2-0 away from home before being held to a goalless draw by Kavala at the weekend. Ketsbaia has been criticised by supporters and the media and the decision has now been made for him to stand down. "Olympiakos announces the mutual solution of its collaboration with coach Temuri Ketsbaia," read a statement on the club's official website. "The technical leadership of the team will be temporarily undertaken by Bozidar Bandovic. His assistant will be Andreas Niniadis." The timing of the decision may come as the greatest surprise as Olympiakos face AZ Alkmaar in Champions League Group H on Wednesday. A former midfielder, Ketsbaia spent much of his playing career in Britain and had spells with Newcastle, Wolves and Dundee. The Georgian then became the first man to lead Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta into the group phase of the Champions League last season.