SAUDI ARABIA boss Giorgos Donis has been backed to return to the Premier League as manager after his World Cup debut.
Donis, 56, became the first ever Greek to move to the Prem in 1996 when he joined Blackburn following an impressive season with Panathinaikos that saw him just missing out on the Champions League final.
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Giorgos Donis became the first ever Greek to move to the Premier League for Blackburn Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Newcastle legend Nikos Dabizas knows Donis very well as they linked up three times Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Except for one stunning solo goal against Everton, the former winger didn’t live up to expectations in his one season with Rovers.
But Newcastle legend Nikos Dabizas – the second Greek to move to the Prem – is still confident the ex-Huddersfield ace has what it takes to succeed in England as head coach.
Dabizas, 52, knows the Greek tactician very well as they teamed up for Greece 12 times and he played under Donis for three years as Larissa captain where together they won the Greek Cup in 2007 against the latter’s former club Panathinaikos in a stunning Cinderella story.
That took them to the Europa League group stage after they led AEL to another incredible underdog triumph over Donis’ other former club Blackburn, whom they eliminated in the first round with an aggregate score of 3-2.
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And the ex-Leicester ace brought the German-born coach back to Panathinaikos in 2018 when the former was working as the Greek giants’ football director.
Together they brought the 1971 European Cup finalists back to their feet despite a three-year ban from Uefa over unpaid debts and a shoestring budget worth a mere £2.6million.
Greece’s Euro 2004 hero is adamant Donis can have the same impact in the Prem – although a start in the Championship may be more prudent.
Dabizas told JattvibeSport: “Do I think he has the potential? I do. I do believe that.
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“I’ve seen managers with lower pedigree or lower-level skill levels than Donis given the chance to be in the Premier League, so I thoroughly believe that he can do that.
“Realistically, he could easily start from the Championship, establish himself there and after that he could show people what he can do.
“I thoroughly believe he can have that success because he knows English football, he knows European football, he knows Middle Eastern football, he knows every kind of level.”
Dabizas’ decision to bring Donis back to Panathinaikos was heavily influenced by his successful season at Al-Hilal, where he won three trophies in 2016 – long before the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
And Dabizas insists it is “clear and obvious” he was immensely more impactful in Athens than prominent successors, like Rafa Benitez and Fatih Terim.
Donis coached Saudi Arabia at the World Cup Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Dabizas is adamant Donis deserves to manage in the Premier League Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Both legendary managers were sacked less than a year after signing lucrative deals with Panathinaikos.
The former defender, who played under some of the best managers, even believes Donis is a better tactical mind than Newcastle legend Sir Bobby Robson.
He said: “Sir Bobby was not so tactical, but in terms of man management he was top. George is more tactical.”
After leaving Panathinaikos in 2020, Donis returned to Saudi Arabia and worked for Al-Wehda, Al-Fateh and Al-Khaleej.
The ex-Sheffield United star’s six-year experience in the Saudi Pro League convinced football chiefs to hire him as manager for the national team’s World Cup campaign in April.
And although the Saudi national team finished bottom of Group H, the Greek tactician still showed positive signs as he picked up two draws against Uruguay, with whom he was level on points, and surprise package Cape Verde.
That was despite the fact he had very little time to prepare the team two months before the competition kicked off in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
As for his hapless stint at Blackburn, Dabizas believes it’s down to Donis not being ready for such a big step.
He said: “I think back then it was not so easy because George had that basic element in this game, he was very quick so he took advantage of that.
“And he got signed by Blackburn, which I think it was a big step. So I think it was an already successful club, and we were not as a footballing nation. George was not quite ready to absorb that pressure.”
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