AEK Athens bring back Spanish coach Jimenez for fourth stint

Athens, Dec 27, 2020 (AFP) - Former Spanish international Manolo Jimenez has returned to coach AEK Athens for a fourth time on an 18-month contract, the Greek Super League club announced on Sunday.

Jimenez, who turns 57 next month, led the club to the Greek Cup in 2011 in his first stint in charge and a league title in 2018 in his second spell.

He returned to the club for a third short spell last year.

Jimenez replaces Italian coach Massimo Carrera,fired last week after one year at the helm after the squad failed to make it to the Europa League knockout stages.

"Manolo, welcome back home," AEK said.

AEK are fourth in the Greek top flight, eight points behind leaders Olympiakos.

Jimenez, a defender, played 14 seasons for Sevilla, making more than 400 appearances from 1983 to 1997. He also earned 15 caps for the Spanish national team and played in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

He coached Sevilla from October 2007 to March 2010 and apart from his three spells at AEK has also had short spells at Real Zaragoza and Las Palmas in Spain, Al-Rayyan in Qatar and Al Wahda in Abu Dhabi.

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