Should Markarian become our new coach? (Markarian congratulates his players after beating Anderlect in the UEFA cup) Now that Peru is all but mathematically eliminated from World Cup qualifying after controversially losing to Uruguay, Markarian could be tempted to helm Greece. Greece is an attractive option to Markarian for a number of reasons. We can qualify for major tournaments with relative ease. Greece are a pot 1 team, meaning we avoid the big guns. Euro 2016 is expanding to 24 teams, so our chances of qualifying are even greater. Markarian would relish the opportunity of coaching a team at a major finals, having been cheated once before, when he took Paraguay to the 2002 World Cup, only to be replaced by Maldini at the finals themselves. We have had two teams in the past five years finish second place in the U-19 EUROs. So we are producing young players who are out performing others across Europe. The future is bright. Markarian speaks Greek and knows Greek soccer very well, having spent a number of years in Greece. He took over from Santos once before (at Panathinaikos back in 2002 where he did well). He knows most of the coaching staff. Vokolos and Fyssas were former players of his. Markarian played an influential role in shaping Rehhagel's tactics and formations as Greece went on to win EURO 2004. Markarian himself has said in interviews that he could live the rest of his life in Greece. Greece is a beautiful country and a place well known for life longevity and good health. Although Santos has done fairly in various regards, there is a feeling that he isn't the right coach for Greece--that he won't be able to take the team to new levels. The fact is, we are still relying on Katsouranis and Karagounis. We need take the next step and evolve. Also, Markarian is regarded as a master tactician, an area where Santos has experimented with little success beyond Rehhagel's template of smash and grab victories. Moreover, Markarian would bring the Uruguayan toughness and passion to the national team. Consider for example Markarian's reactions below: (even Rehhagel wasn't as confrontational) Santos tends to emit a depressive airiness, one of anxiety. And generally, we have performed at our best when our players were fired up and confident of themselves. Lastly, we should be able to afford his salary. Markarian currently makes $750,000 with Peru; Santos makes 650,000 euros. It begs the question. Why doesn't the EPO pursue Markarian?
I can think of a few reasons why the Greek FA might want to persist with Santos. Santos has a winning record, albeit against less than astounding opposition. He doesn't disrupt the existing structure and culture within the Greek FA and NT. By contrast, Markarian could have larger ambitions and may seek a role within the administration after coaching Greece, if he were provided that opportunity. It's something Markarian has openly stated that he would do with the Peruvian FA. It's also worth remembering that Markarian is still bitter about the EPO's indecision over what happened at Rizoupouli in 2003, when Olympiakos snatched the title under acrimonious circumstances and riots followed. Lastly, Hubb Stevens would be in prime position to coach the Greek NT after the next two years. Markarian would want to stay on for longer than two years, Santos would want a new challenge or change of scenery after two more years. It's also worth recalling that, when Markarian took over from Santos, Panathinaikos were in dire straits. They lost to a rapid fire PAOK on the opening matchday, a 4-1 defeat in which Georgiadis proved too hot to handle. They followed that performance with more losses in the next two rounds and only survived in the UEFA cup thanks to a virtuoso display from a then 39 year old Warzycha, who bailed the team out against a meager Bulgarian side after extra-time. Santos then left by mutual consent and Markarian quickly turned Panathinaikos into title contenders on all fronts, including the UEFA cup. He oversaw impressive wins over Olympiakos, Fenerbahce, and, most impressive of all, Mourinho's Porto in Oporto.