Olympiacos FC has decided to keep José Luis Mendilibar as head coach following a meeting between the Basque manager and club owner Evangelos Marinakis in Piraeus on Friday afternoon.
The decision came after discussions lasting more than two hours at the club, ending days of intense speculation about the 65-year-old manager's future after Olympiacos was eliminated in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
Club hierarchy confirmed that the board maintains absolute trust in Mendilibar. In an official statement, PAE Olympiacos emphasized that the mutual love and respect between Marinakis and Mendilibar had only been questioned by those unfamiliar with the internal culture of the club family.
The club added that the bond between the owner and the manager was forged and renewed during difficult moments rather than during celebrations, confirming that Mendilibar will remain in charge through the end of the season.
Squad changes and transfer plans
During the meeting, Marinakis and Mendilibar agreed to execute immediate squad reinforcements, targeting high-quality players intended to serve as regular starters in the lineup.
Olympiacos stated that new acquisitions will be made immediately regardless of budget, with every signing requiring the explicit consent and signature of Mendilibar, as has been standard practice since his arrival.
The administration announced radical changes already underway within its scouting setup and transfer management operations. Club leadership explained that significant financial investments made over the previous three transfer windows failed to produce expected results on the pitch, prompting the decision to restructure recruitment personnel.
Championship and European goals
The primary objectives for Olympiacos remain winning the Stoiximan Super League championship in 2027 and mounting a campaign to reach the final of the UEFA Europa League, where the team has already secured a place in the League Phase.
In its official release, PAE Olympiacos stated that everyone present at the meeting fully believed in achieving these goals, adding that history repeats itself and that Piraeus always wins in the end.
The club noted that a clear and honest discussion took place covering all matters within the football department, with errors acknowledged and corrective measures proposed as the team continues forward to compete for every available trophy.
Contract history and past achievements
Mendilibar recently signed a contract extension keeping him at the Greek club until the summer of 2027. He was initially appointed in February 2024 and guided Olympiacos to its first European trophy by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League later that season.
Under Mendilibar, Olympiacos achieved a domestic treble during its centenary year, winning the Greek championship and the Greek Cup in 2025 followed by the Super Cup in 2026. The club also noted that the team reached the top 24 of the Champions League last season while consistently remaining among Europe's elite clubs in the UEFA rankings over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns.
Upcoming fixtures
Olympiacos will open its domestic league season on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 22:00 local time against Atromitos at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.
The club will begin its European campaign on September 16 or 17, 2026, when the Europa League Phase gets underway.
