Serb Dusan Bajevic has returned to AEK after a four year absence to take over the Athens club for the third time in his career, replacing Giorgos Donis who stepped down earlier this month after a series of poor results.
In his first news conference Friday, the 59-year-old coach said although his main goal is always the league, he could not promise AEK would take the title this season. He asked the club's supporters to join forces and make AEK a major team again.
AEK _ viewed pre-season as likely title contenders _ are in sixth place in the league with 15 points, eight behind leader Olympiakos.
The club did not issue an official announcement about his hiring or details of his contract. But it said on its Web site that Bajevic took his first training session on Thursday.
Bajevic is one of the most successful coaches in Greek football history, winning successive titles at AEK and defending champion Olympiakos Piraeus, as well as a Greek Cup with PAOK Thessaloniki.
After eight years at AEK, Bajevic moved to Olympiakos in 1996 before returning to the Athens club in 2002 for two more years. His decision to join arch-rival Olympiakos angered a section of AEK fans who have since opposed his return.
"I ask forgiveness by anyone whom I have offended," the coach said. "We should not speak about the past but only about the future."
Daily Sportday reported that Bajevic has signed a 2 1/2-year contract with an annual salary of around 500,000 ($630,000).
