Zico sacked by Olympiakos

Olympiakos have sacked their coach Zico after only four months in charge following a run of indifferent results. Olympiacos confirmed Zico's departure via a short statement on the official website. It read: "Olympiacos announces the termination of their co-operation with the coach Arthur Antunes Coimbra (Zico) and his assistants Eduardo Antunes Coimbra and Morassi Vasconcelos Santana. The technical leadership of the team will be undertaken by Bozidar Bandovic and Andreas Niniadis.'

Bandovic, 40, who currently works for the club as a scout, also took control of the team temporarily before Zico's arrival. He will lead the Greek title-holders in their next match against PAOK on Sunday.

Zico only took over in September when Temuri Ketsbaia was shown the door after just a couple of games in charge.

Olympiakos were held to a 0-0 draw by Kavala on Sunday and are now seven points behind leaders Panathinaikos.

Zico arrived amid much fanfare last year, as he was one of the biggest names from world football to take a coaching job in Greece.

The club's fans and owners were willing to overlook the Brazilian's brief experience as a club manager and limited achievements in coaching and instead concentrated on his illustrious career as a player, believing that his legendary status would help galvanise the Reds.

However, when the results started to go against Olympiakos, Zico's honeymoon period came to an abrupt end. Elimination in the Greek Cup at the hands of Panserraikos and successive defeats to Aris and AEK in the Super League sealed the Brazilian's fate.

Zico appeared to have lost the support of some senior players. Goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis and midfielder Ieroklis Stoltidis were two of the most outspoken critics of the Brazilian's methods and tactics.

"In all the years I have been at the club, this is the worst Olympiakos I can remember," said Stoltidis after the 0-0 draw on Sunday, which was one of several disappointing draws for the Reds under Zico.

Even after Olympiakos made it to the last 16 of the Champions League, there appeared to be a very negative atmosphere among journalists that follow the club's fortunes and it was not long before speculation about Zico's future began.

Many were surprised that Zico was not sacked earlier but it appears that his reported 1-million euro pay-off package was a stumbling block. Reports suggest that the Piraeus club may refuse to pay that now, preferring instead to fight its corner in court as it believes that the Brazilian failed to fulfil his role as team manager and therefore breached his contract.

Bandovic and Niniadis have been installed until the end of the season with the aim of getting Olympiakos back in the title race and advancing in the Champions League.

It has been rumoured that Olympiakos stalwart Predrag Djordjevic may be given a role within the club, as chairman Sokratis Kokkalis looks to appease fans following his managerial blunders this season.