APOEL boss Ivan Jovanovic has told the club board that he will be stepping down in the summer days after his side secured the 22nd league title in their history.
Rumours of the Greek-Serbian’s departure had been rife in the last couple of weeks with Jovanovic continuously dodging questions over his future at the Nicosia club.
Jovanovic, who has achieved legendary status at the club, is said by the Greek media to be lining up to take over the vacant coaching position at PAOK.
The 50-year-old former Iraklis player met with APOEL Chairman Fivos Erotokritou and other club officials in which he informed them of his intention to leave.
“During the course of the meeting, the board of the club informed Mr. Jovanovic that we wanted him to remain at the club but he persisted that it was best both for himself and APOEL that he left his post”, read a club announcement.
“What Mr. Jovanovic has given to APOEL goes way beyond simple footballing success. He has put APOEL on the European football map and we consider it a special privilege to have worked with him.”
During his two tenures at APOEL, Jovanovic has won four league titles and one Cup but it was the club’s European exploits that have been the most striking. After guiding APOEL into the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in 2009, he repeated the trick two seasons later by guiding his side to a shock quarterfinal appearance in the same competition.
Former APOEL player and manager Marinos Ouzounides is being tipped as a possible replacement to Jovanovic.