Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:09 p.m. / Updated Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:17 p.m.
Răzvan Lucescu (57 years old), the coach of PAOK, said that he wants to honor his contract with the team from Thessaloniki, although he is wanted by Al-Sadd, the champion of Qatar. Panagiotis Tsalouchidis, former Greek midfielder and ex-player of the “black and white” three decades ago, recommends the Romanian to leave as soon as possible.
The management of PAOK has started to analyze possible replacements, in case the parting with Răzvan Lucescu will materialize.
Al-Sadd wants Răzvan Lucescu and would pay the clause of 4 million. PAOK is looking for a replacement, but the first option fell through!
This is after information emerged, published by mercato specialist Gianluca Di Marzio, related to the offer received from Al-Sadd to replace Roberto Mancini, who would return to the Italian national team this summer.
Panagiotis Tsalouchidis won two Greek Cups and two Greek Supercups as a player with Olimpiakos
“Al-Sadd is really interested in Răzvan Lucescu. The termination clause in his contract (No – 4 million euros) and final decisions are expected soon.
Al-Sadd wants the 57-year-old coach, but Răzvan Lucescu has no intention of opening any discussion regarding the personal or financial aspects of a possible agreement without a prior agreement with PAOK”, notes sport24.gr.
According to the Portuguese daily A Bola, the main target of the Greeks to replace Răzvan Lucescu is Cesar Peixoto (46 years old, Gil Vicente). However, he found another team in the meantime and will sign with Wolverhampton, which was relegated to the Championship!
Tsalouchidis: “Since PAOK is looking for a coach, I would look to leave, if I were Răzvan Lucescu! It's a bit offensive”
In this troubled situation, in which the announced decisive meeting with the boss Ivan Savvidis was postponed for an uncertain date, Răzvan Lucescu is advised to pack his bags.
Răzvan Lucescu won 10 trophies in his coaching career Photo Cristi Preda (GSP)
“The management had a successful policy because it changed the situation not only in PAOK, but in the whole of Northern Greece. The team wrote a page of history with Savvidis, but the coach also plays an important role.
The fact that he stayed is both a positive and a negative. Since the club is looking for a coach, if I were in Lucescu's place, I would look to leave. It's a bit offensive,” commented Panagiotis Tsalouchidis (63 years old), the last time a coach at Veria, in an interview published by the daily Metrosport.
The former Greek international (76 caps and 16 goals between 1987 and 1995) drew a parallel with what happened to him as a player three decades ago: “When I was told to terminate my contract at Olympiakos, I understood. Since there is no longer any sense of belonging to the club…
“No one should get hurt. If there is a divorce between PAOK and Lucescu, it better be a smooth one”
And Lucescu was attached to the team, but all good things have an end, and the end should be beautiful and not a cruel one”.
Panagiotis Tsalouchidis was last coach at Veria, where he also started his career as a technician in 2000
The former PAOK midfielder in 1995-1996 (arrived from Olympiakos) sees only one way out: “At this stage, nobody should be injured. If divorce happens, it's better if it's smooth.
Sometimes these procedures take a long time. It is certainly unpleasant to maintain this situation for long, because no team can operate with uncertainty.
Such is life, let's move on! He wants respect for the coach, but it won't be the end of the world if he leaves PAOK.”
