Top of the table Apollon sack second manager this season

By Andreas Vou

Top of the table Apollon have sacked their manager for the second time this season as Ioan Andone was given his marching orders on Wednesday.
Rumours of a possible change of manager had been brewing in recent weeks and Sunday’s 1-3 defeat against Anorthosis sealed the Romanian manager’s fate with an announcement made by the club in the afternoon.

“Apollon LTD announces the termination of co-operation with manager Mr. Ioan Andone and his associates Mr. Adrian Iencsi and Paolo Potocnik.
“The big family of Apollon Limassol wishes to all three of them success both in their personal and professional lives.”

The decision comes as a huge surprise given that Apollon are currently top of the first division, one point above reigning champions APOEL with just six matches remaining.

However, the decision becomes less of a shock when looking at Apollon’s recent past in regard to dismissals, as the club has developed a reputation for hastily sacking managers over the years.

The 55-year-old only took over in October from Christakis Christoforou who became the first manager in Cypriot football history to guide a team to two consecutive group stages of European competition, and also won the domestic cup.

Andone becomes the ninth Apollon manager to be relieved of his duties since 2010. The man currently being tipped to take over at the Apollon hotseat is Ton Caanen, who is said to tick all the boxes that the board is looking for.

The club is believed to have a pre-contract agreement with the Dutchman who is no stranger to Cyprus or the town of Limassol having managed AEK Larnaca, Enosis Neon Paralimni and Aris Limassol.

Andone’s reign began in nightmare fashion back in late October as he saw his new team on the back end of a 5-0 thrashing by German side Borussia Monchengladbach in the Europa League. However, he helped the club’s league form improve dramatically which was the club’s priority when he was appointed which is why, with the club top of the table as the season comes to a close, it makes his dismissal all the more puzzling.

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