After a season deemed a complete failure, one in which AEK did not manage to achieve any of their goals, the club decided to proceed with a total restructuring of the squad with several additions and departures of players, as well as a change in the technical leadership.

The early elimination from Europe at the hands of Velez left The Union deprived of significant income, however the burden now falls on domestic competitions and winning titles.

The Yellow and Blacks got off on the right foot in the premiere of the Super League, prevailing 3-0 over Ionikos at the OAKA, which was a much more difficult match than the final score suggests. But the smiles did not last long, as then came the 3-3 draw with OFI in Crete in a match that Milojevic’s players let a three-goal lead slip. Wednesday’s game with Lamia brought the required three-point haul, but the performance also caused a few headaches in view of the derby at the Toumba.

Guided by Milojevic

Jimenez left and was replaced by the experienced Serbian coach Vladan Milojevic. In Greece he is already well-known from his time in the Panionios dugout, but also from his time as a player.

His coaching achievements over the last 11 years are definitely impressive. With Red Star Belgrade he won three consecutive championships in Serbia (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20), while with Tsukaricki he won a cup in the 2014-15 season. He took Panionios up to 5th place in Greece and of course managed to have two good campaigns with Red Star in the group stage of the Champions League. The last stop of his career before returning to Greece was at Arab side Al Ahly.

He prefers a 4-2-3-1 system.  He is a calm and ambitious man who conveys confidence and security to his players, which is why both the football team and the management of AEK have invested in players this season, in order to try and get better results compared to those of recent years.

The much-changed squad make it difficult for the Serbian coach, who must find direct chemistry between the players fast and bring positive results as well as points.

Extreme makeover

AEK were very active this summer making many moves in the transfer market. Araujo returned via a transfer from Las Palmas, Vranjes returned to strengthen the defence, while the arrivals of Zuber and Amrabat have generated excitement among the fans.

In total, The Union acquired 13 players, most of whom have come to be key choices for Milojevic from day one.

Kristicic, Lopez, Vasilantonopoulos, Oliveira, Tsygrynski and David Simao left.