Just two months after winning the historic first trophy in Panonios' club history, the management of the Greek team undertook an unexpected change in the coaching position. Serbian specialist Dragan Nesic is no longer in charge of the women's team, which also includes former Bulgarian national team captain Elitsa Vasileva-Atanasijevic.
The news was officially confirmed through the club's social media profiles, including Instagram, where an announcement about the separation was published.
A separation "in a friendly spirit"
The official statement from Panonios reads:
"After a year and a half of working together, our paths part by mutual agreement and in a friendly spirit with head coach Dragan Nesic. We thank him for everything he gave to the team. He was a key figure in the great successes we achieved this season, as well as in winning our first title. We are sure that our paths will cross again in the future. The name of the new head coach will be announced within the day."
The wording is diplomatic, but the timing of the separation raises questions. Panonios is in a decisive phase both in the Greek championship and in Europe.
The context: a battle on two fronts
The team holds third place in the Greek championship with a record of 14 wins and 5 losses. During the week, the team lost to Panathinaikos in the first semi-final of the CEV Challenge Cup tournament with 1:3 sets, and the return leg is just a few days away.
It is precisely this crucial European clash that Elitsa Vasileva-Atanasijevic and her teammates will face with a new coach on the bench – a move that can hardly be described as routine.
Nesic is not an unknown name to the Bulgarian public. The Serbian specialist was in charge of the Bulgarian women's national team and left a mark with his work during a difficult transitional period for the team.
Turkish specialist takes over "Istorika"
Hours after the separation was announced, Panonios also presented its new head coach – the Turk Yunus Ocal.
The official announcement, also published on Instagram, states that Ocal takes over the technical management of the women's team of "Istorika".
His coaching resume is solid:
Assistant at Eczacıbaşı from 2006–2018
Assistant at Türk Hava Yolları
Three-time Turkish champion (2006/07, 2007/08, 2011/12)
Three-time Turkish Cup winner (2008/09, 2010/11, 2011/12)
Assistant to Marcello Abbondanza in the Greek national team (2022)
Head coach of the Greek women's national team in the upcoming season
Coach of AEK, with whom he won a historic Greek Cup in 2023
Part of the staff of the Turkish national team
For the last two years – head coach of IBB Spor Kulübü
His appointment shows a clear ambition from the management – entrusting a specialist with experience in both the Turkish elite and the Greek volleyball environment.
What does this mean for Elitsa Vasileva?
For the former captain of Bulgaria, the change comes at a delicate point in the season. A coaching change in the midst of the fight for trophies always leads to tactical and psychological adaptations – a new system of play, a different philosophy in the distribution of responsibilities in attack and block, changes in defense organization and transition.
It remains to be seen whether this move will prove strategically correct and whether Panionios will manage to maintain its momentum in the championship and turn around the European semi-final.
One thing is certain – the separation from Dragan Nesic just two months after the historic peak is one of the most surprising coaching changes in Greek women's volleyball this season.
photo:panioniosvolley.gr
