Apoel have sacked their manager Savvas Poursaitides after just one game in the league, which the Nicosia side lost 4-0 away to Pafos FC.

Poursaitides’ assistant Christodoulos Christodoulou and trainer Alexis Pericleous were also sacked.

In a written statement, the club said it “is a difficult decision for the management” but after a thorough discussion of all the issues by the board, it was decided unanimously to change the technical staff.

The Greek manager, who played for Apoel in the past, had taken over the side well into the last season, which was the worst in recent history.

Apoel finished eighth and failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in decades.

The club has invested heavily in bringing in new players in a bid to win trophies this season but it was shocked in their opening game by Pafos FC.