NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Cypriot team APOEL has hired Giorgos Donis as its new coach hoping he can help the team repeat as domestic champion and put in strong performances in the Europa League group stage.
The 43-year-old German-born Donis signed a deal Friday to coach APOEL until the end of the season.
Donis replaces Portuguese coach Paulo Sergio, who resigned last week after three wins in 11 games over five months with APOEL. Sergio quit immediately after a 3-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in a Europa League Group F match.
Donis, whose playing career included stints with Greece's Panathinaikos and England's Sheffield United and Blackburn, said he'll strive to meet fans' expectations for the club, which two years ago became the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.
