The failure of retentions, should be the reason we don't retain the Papadimitriou

Panathinaikos is expected to consistently compete for domestic titles and make significant progress in European competitions. This entails a robust recruitment strategy that aligns with the manager's vision for the team. However, recent scouting efforts have been inconsistent, resulting in several misses in player acquisitions over the past decade. The club operates within a limited budget and faces challenges in identifying impactful players due to constrained scouting resources. The responsibility for player recruitment lies with the Technical Director, who is tasked with sourcing talent that fits the manager's ideal profile. In the past, turnover in the Technical Director position has been frequent, with individuals like Pierre Dréossi and Xavi Roca departing prematurely. Their brief tenures were marked by questionable signings, such as Sankhare, who is currently without a club, and Fausto Tienza, who plays in 3rd division Spain. Despite these setbacks, there have been instances of successful finds under Xavi Roca's tenure, including Ruben Perez and Foti Ioannidis.

The unexpected appointment of Ioannis Papadimitriou as the new Sporting Director of Panathinaikos in May 2023 stirred up a wave of speculation among fans. Many viewed this decision as potentially undermining the authority of then-coach Ivan Jovanovic. Jovanovic's subsequent public statement asserting that he had actually hired Papadimitriou and considered him his superior only added to the confusion, as it contradicted prevailing perceptions. This development occurred against the backdrop of Panathinaikos's recent near-miss in the league title race, with hopes high among supporters for the club to finally secure the championship after 13 years. However, as the season unfolded, rumors circulated suggesting that Jovanovic's desired player acquisitions were not always aligned with those ultimately secured by the club. One notable instance was the signing of Sporar instead of Ricardo Gomes, a player reportedly favored by Jovanovic. Additionally, the club's failure to retain Gacinovic, who subsequently joined AEK, further fueled speculation about discrepancies between the coach's preferences and the club's transfer decisions. These developments contributed to a sense of uncertainty and discord within the Panathinaikos fanbase as the team navigated its pursuit of success on the field.

During the summer transfer window of the 2023/2024 season, persistent rumors circulated regarding Ivan Jovanovic's desired signings, notably Lingr from Sparta Praha. However, the club's decision-makers opted to bring in Djuricic on a free transfer instead. Notably, most of the signings made during this period were either veteran players or loan acquisitions, with the exception of Arao and Palmer-Brown. Panathinaikos's European campaign started well after a thrilling victory over Villarreal in the opening game of the Europa League, however, the remainder results saw the Greens exit Europa League. Despite being within touching distance of the league summit, the club shocked many by sacking Jovanovic just one day after Christmas. In his place, the renowned coach Fatih Terim was appointed. This sudden change sparked speculation among fans, with many attributing the decision to Papadimitriou's influence alongside club owner Alafouzos, suggesting a desire to assert control over personnel decisions as Panathinaikos contended for the title. However, during the subsequent winter transfer window, there appeared to be a shift in the approach to squad reinforcement, with fewer signs of Papadimitriou's direct involvement. Since Terim's arrival, Papadimitriou has been seen more frequently in the dugout and being more animated as ever, despite not really having this presence with Jovanovic at the helm.

So who is Papadimitriou and what are his credentials?

Papadimitriou's journey in football began with Xanthi, where he served as a long time right-back for the club and eventually transitioned into the role of Technical Director. His tenure coincided with the club's relegation in his last season with Xanthi. Following this setback, he briefly held positions with AEK as Academy Manager and CEO, although his tenure there was relatively short-lived and lacked notable achievements. A year after leaving AEK, Papadimitriou joined Panathinaikos as Sporting Director. However, his tenure has been marred by various shortcomings, notably in player recruitment and retention. Despite bringing in several players, only a few have made significant impacts as starters, such as Arao and Jedvaj. Additionally, negotiations with key players have often been protracted and unsuccessful, leading to uncertainty and discontent within the squad. The mishandling of important players like Kotsiras, Palacios, and Bernard has further tarnished Papadimitriou's tenure. Kotsiras, a versatile player, has not received the recognition and contract negotiations he deserves. Palacios's future with the club remains uncertain, while Bernard's departure back to Brazil highlights the failure to secure key players' long-term commitments. The situation with Brignoli adds to the list of concerns, with talks breaking down after a change in his representation. The lack of effective communication and collaboration with managers, failure to secure quality players, and reliance on cheaper alternatives from Wish have exacerbated the club's issues.

Given these challenges and the evident need for a fresh approach, it's time for Panathinaikos to part ways with Papadimitriou and appoint someone who prioritises the club's best interests.