Greece’s football association has hired 47-year-old youth coach Kostas Tsanas as interim coach and is distancing 63-year-old Claudio Ranieri, former Chelsea boss, following three defeats and a draw in Euro 2016 qualifying. Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) President Giorgos Sarris and Mr. Ranieri met on Saturday and agreed that the latter would leave after Tuesday’s friendly match with Serbia however the compensation deal for the Italian coach has yet to be finalized.

“I take full responsibility for the most unfortunate choice of coach, which has resulted in such a poor image of the national team being put before the fans,” said Mr. Sarris following a shock defeat by Faroe Islands. “The governing board will convene and take responsibility among all the members to make the necessary changes needed to avoid a repeat of such an embarrasing night.”

A statement read: “The Hellenic Football Federation announces that the role of interim coach for the friendly match with Serbia will be (carried out by) Kostas Tsanas and Nektarios Pantazis.”