Olympiacos head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar confirmed that major squad changes will take place before the transfer window closes, speaking ahead of his side's Super League opening match against Atromitos.
The Spanish manager revealed that a meeting with club owner Evangelos Marinakis went well despite lasting several hours, as the leadership addressed key team decisions and club matters. Mendilibar discussed the upcoming campaign, roster planning, and league competitiveness during an interview with broadcaster Cosmote TV.
Mendilibar acknowledged that the final phase of the summer transfer market creates ongoing nervousness inside the squad. He noted that players will continue to arrive and depart until the window closes, explaining that late roster movement affects many clubs across professional football.
Olympiacos, based in Piraeus, are Greece's most decorated football club with 47 league titles. Mendilibar took charge of the team in February 2024 and led them to victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League later that season, while Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis has served as club owner and president since 2010.
Player readiness and squad fitness
Addressing team selection for the season opener, Mendilibar explained that recent summer signings are at different stages of physical preparation. Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler arrived a few days ago following five weeks of vacation, while defender Nair Tiknizyan joined two days ago after remaining match-active during his previous stint.
Winger Jota returned to group training on Thursday for the first time following an injury, giving Mendilibar a full squad to choose from. The manager stated that he will use the final training session before the Atromitos fixture to assess every player's condition before selecting his starting lineup.
The head coach expressed frustration with modern pre-season schedules, observing that early summer preparation loses value every year. He pointed out that coaching staff work with one group of players during pre-season camps only to find a different group of players available once official competitive matches begin.
Increasing competition in Greek football
Reflecting on the title race, Mendilibar explained why Olympiacos failed to secure the league championship last season. He stressed that rival clubs now operate with identical ambitions, financial investment, and determination to win the title every year.
The manager highlighted how the competitive landscape in Greek football has evolved compared to 10 or 12 years ago. He noted that smaller clubs have narrowed the gap with traditional powers, pointing to OFI Crete as an example of a team that could not realistically contend for a Greek Cup or Super Cup a decade ago but now competes for major trophies.
Mendilibar emphasized that Olympiacos respect every opponent starting with Atromitos, an Athens-based club visiting Piraeus for the opening fixture. He insisted that the team's sole objective is to play good football and win every single match, recognizing that failing to deliver results quickly creates internal pressure.
