Nikos Papadopoulos spoke for the first time since taking over as head coach of APOEL.

Specifically, the Greek coach was a guest on the show “Build Up” hosted by Demis Nikolaidis and Michalis Tsochos, and among other things, he discussed the new challenge in his career, in which his goal is to get the Nicosia-based team back on the path to success.

He also commented on his collaboration with Zisis Vryzas, the philosophy he wants to instill in the “blue-and-yellows,” and spoke about his time at Levadiakos, revealing that it is his dream to coach the Greek national team.

The main points of his remarks:

On APOEL and the new challenge in his career: “I feel that I’ve joined a truly great team. I knew this because I was fortunate enough to witness the greatness of this club when I was coaching at Olympiakos Nicosia, back when Ivan Jovanović was there and APOEL had an amazing run in the Champions League. I experienced firsthand their sports complex and their organization—you really feel like you’re part of a great team. There’s a tremendous amount of pressure, especially when a team isn’t competing in Europe—and when we’re talking about APOEL, you understand what it’s like in Cyprus. The competition has intensified, with Paphos, Aris, AEK, Apollon, and AEL. Anorthosis has been facing quite a few problems in recent years, as has APOEL, but for me, it’s a challenge to work with a big club. And I’m fortunate that, in addition to the president—who is a young man and has just taken on this role—I have by my side someone you all know, Zisis Vryzas, as the team’s technical director. We have an amazing working relationship, and that helps a great deal in achieving our goal and bringing the team back to winning titles and competing in European competitions.”

On the plan and philosophy he wants to instill in the team: “I’m sure I don’t have much time, and we need to build a team. It’s very important to sign players who fit the style of play you want. A team like APOEL can’t play defensively; it must have an attacking philosophy. We’re currently trying to sign players with the qualities we need to achieve our goal.”

More in the video:

*photo source: KYPE