How does Michael Skibbe still have a job?
Following the two games against Estonia and Hungary in the newly formed UEFA Nations League, the Ethniki Omada is one third of the way through the group stage in League C. This tournament gives us a great opportunity to qualify for Euro 2020 (which would be our first major tournament in 6 years), however, more of the same in terms of the repeated mistakes being made by the manager have already appeared to shoot us in the foot.
It was beyond baffling that the EPO would give Skibbe a contract extension after the failed World Cup qualifying campaign. Ironically, he was given a deal on less money and he accepted. What does that say about the EPO's ambition? What does that say about Skibbe's belief in his own ability?
These two games against relatively easy opposition (with all due respect) should have seen a new-look Ethniki turn their fortunes around with better attacking displays. In fairness, the first half against Estonia was very good. Fortounis pulled the strings and scored a great team goal. However, after the interval Mitroglou went down injured and was replaced by Bakasetas. Since when has Bakasetas been an out and out striker that can lead the line on his own? Estonia took full advantage of this horrible substitution and did not sit as deep. Koulouris has had a decent start to the season with Atromitos, introducing him would have made more sense. Anyway, this win merely papered over the cracks.
These cracks were fully exposed by a well-coached Hungarian side that targeted our weak points. Tzavellas turned in a shocker as expected and was replaced for the second half. We all know he is not an international standard player and Hungary exposed him in the build up to their second goal. There was never going to be a comeback from there. This little boys club the EPO has formed along with Skibbe and players such as Tzavellas and Tziolis has destroyed us. Neither player has no business in the squad, yet there are Skibbe's "go-to" players when he looks for support in the dressing room. He knows by picking them, they will in turn support him in staying on.
Tziolis was omitted from the squad in Euro 2012 and was not even selected in the World Cup 2014 squad when he was at his best. How on earth has he become a main player all these years later? Tzavellas fought with a teammate in Brazil during training for the World Cup, yet got the nod early in Skibbe's tenure ahead of Holebas, who is in career best form with Watford at the moment. Holebas was supposedly a "bad influence" and had a "poor attitude". These claims could be leveled at a few but it was the Watford man who was sacrificed. How we could do with Holebas at the moment!
Skibbe has not learnt from his past mistakes by calling up such players, even if Tziolis was not a starter. The EPO essentially rewarded mediocrity by sticking with him. We are much capable of better and it is a shame as the first half in Estonia reinforced this team has potential, however, defensive tactics, poor call ups, playing several players out of position has gotten us nowhere. Pelkas is a joy to watch when playing for PAOK, yet had no major influence for the Ethniki. Mantalos has been a mainstay at AEK for some time, yet we rarely see him at his best for the Ethniki. This is on Skibbe.
Furthermore, saying things in pregame press conferences such as Greece "not deserving to be favourites" Estonia sends out a clear message to the players and negatively impacts them. As well as thinking Greece "will at least score one goal". The EPO have to shoulder a large portion of the blame for this latest debacle. They wanted a guy who would bow down to their demands in picking certain players and keep Kostas Tsanas on as part of the coaching staff. No serious manager would accept such conditions and this is why former Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster walked away from the offer after being very interested. He wanted to select his own staff and have the final say on call ups, something which is definitely fair.
It may take a while to fix this, but surely Skibbe has run out of chances. It is time a Greek takes over and is given time to fix this mess. Skibbe has now had more losses than wins since taking over and apart from Belgium and Croatia we have played no one of note. It was only a few years ago, we were on the same level as Croatia and beating them. His coaching record surely inspires zero confidence.
By Nick Tsambouniaris for Hellas Football
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