Matias Almeyda: Former San Jose Earthquakes head coach to join AEK Athens
By Chris Smith
Less than two weeks after his departure from the San Jose Earthquakes, Matias Almeyda already appears to have found a new home at AEK Athens of the Greek Super League.
The Argentine coach parted ways with the Quakes on April 18 after a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC left the MLS side bottom of the Western Conference and winless after their first seven games of the season. Alex Covelo was installed as interim boss.
On Wednesday, Argentine journalist Hernan Castillo reported that AEK were set to announce Almeyda as their new boss 'shortly'. Press in Greece and close to the Quakes have since reported similarly, though no formal announcement has been made.
Matías Almeyda va a dirigir el AEK de Grecia. En breve se anuncia.
— Hernán Castillo (@HernanSCastillo) April 27, 2022
Sport24 report that Almeyda and his technical staff will earn €1.2m per year and that the Argentine will be present to watch AEK's trip to PAOK this weekend.
An eccentric coach, Almeyda was widely criticized across his final months as San Jose head coach for persisting with his unique man-marking style. The Quakes were unable to match the physical levels demanded by the style, leaving them wide open defensively and unable to fashion good chances at the other end.
It'll be interesting to see if Almeyda eases back on his principles as he takes over a club with an incredibly demanding fanbase, but 19 points adrift of title rivals Olympiacos at the time of writing.
In San Jose, meanwhile, the Quakes battled back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to win their first MLS game without Almeyda 4-3 against the Seattle Sounders, lifting them above the Vancouver Whitecaps in the West.