Panathinaikos today sacked captain Kostas Katsouranis just 24 hours before their Europa League clash against Tottenham.
The club’s new president Yiannis Alafouzos took the drastic action with the club in the midst of a six‑match run without a win.
Alafouzos told the club’s shocked players of his decision to axe Greece’s vice-captain following training this morning. Alafouzos had yet to publicly reveal why he let Katsouranis go but it was reported in Greece that he was unhappy with the midfielder’s attitude and influence in the dressing room.
Furthermore, Katsouranis is in the middle of a six-game ban in the league after swearing at the referee during the game with PAS Giannina.
Katsouranis has 98 caps and his departure leaves the side short of much-needed experience and also light of options in the holding midfielder position.
The 33-year-old can also operate at centre-back and was expected to deputise for the injured Jean-Paul Boumsong tomorrow.
Spurs are likely to be without Emmanuel Adebayor for the Group J clash but the striker is targeting a return to action for Sunday’s match with Aston Villa.
The forward was back in training with the first-team squad yesterday following a hamstring injury but the coaching staff are thought to consider it too soon to bring him back into action.
Adebayor completed a permanent move to White Hart Lane in August after a successful loan spell last season but he has played for only 60 minutes for the first team since signing from Manchester City for £5million.
With a two-week international break to follow the Villa game, Andre Villas-Boas is likely to field a strong starting XI in Athens.
