Manolo Jiménez Officially Appointed as Aris FC Head Coach
Aris FC has confirmed the appointment of Manolo Jiménez as their new head coach, following the recent departure of Marinos Ouzounidis. The club finalized the agreement and announced the change just hours after parting ways with Ouzounidis, aiming to reverse their disappointing start to the current season.
Strategic Coaching Change Amidst Challenging Season Start
The yellow-clad team decided to make a managerial switch after a series of underwhelming performances early in the campaign. It had been widely anticipated for several days that the Spaniard, formerly at the helm of AEK Athens, would be the successor to Ouzounidis.
This transition was officially sealed on Tuesday, September 9th, when Aris publicly announced the end of their collaboration with Ouzounidis and simultaneously welcomed Jiménez as the new head coach.
Introducing Manolo Jiménez: A Veteran with Rich Experience
Born on January 26, 1964, in Arahal, Seville, Manuel Jiménez Jiménez boasts a distinguished football background. After a notable playing career primarily with Sevilla FC, he transitioned into coaching, initially leading Sevilla’s reserve team.
In October 2007, Jiménez was promoted to manage Sevilla’s first team, overseeing 135 matches and gaining valuable top-flight experience.
Successful Tenures in Greece and Beyond
Jiménez first ventured into Greek football in 2010 when he took charge of AEK Athens. In his debut season, he led the club to victory in the Greek Cup, marking a significant achievement in his coaching career.
After returning to Spain in January 2012 to manage Real Zaragoza, he later moved to Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC, where he secured his first league title during the 2014-2015 season.
Multiple Stints with AEK and International Ventures
January 2017 saw Jiménez return to AEK Athens for a second spell, culminating in winning the Super League Greece championship in the 2017-2018 season. Following a brief period managing UD Las Palmas, he rejoined AEK in February 2019 for a short tenure.
In October 2019, Jiménez embarked on a new chapter in the United Arab Emirates with Al Wahda FC. After a brief return to AEK to conclude the 2020-2021 season, he resumed his role at Al Wahda until March 2023.
Recent Roles and Return to European Football
During the summer of 2023, Jiménez crossed the Atlantic to Paraguay, initially serving as an advisor before becoming head coach at Cerro Porteño. Last season, he made his way back to Europe, taking charge of Cypriot side APOEL FC, where he managed 27 matches from October to March.
Joining the Aris Family
As of today, Manolo Jiménez officially joins Aris FC’s coaching staff, bringing a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of success.
Welcome to Aris, Manolo!
Coaching Team Supporting Jiménez
- Jesus Calderon – Assistant Coach
- Dmytro Chygrynskyi – Assistant Coach
- Pablo Arrans – Fitness Coach
- Jacobo Sanz – Goalkeeping Coach