Cuper in Panathinaikos frame

Panathinaikos could be about to turn their attentions to Argentinian coach Hector Cuper as successor to Hans Backe.

Backe parted company with The Greens earlier this month following the disappointing Uefa Cup draw with Metalurg Zaporizhzhya.

The Greek outfit immediately began their search for a replacement and initially targeted former Olympiakos and AEK Athens coach Dusan Bajevic.

However, Bajevic turned down their advances to remain with Crvena Zvezda, forcing Panathinaikos officials to look elsewhere.

Cuper is the latest name to be linked with the vacant post at Pana and the coach's agent Alejandro Camano has confirmed his client's interest in the job.

"Hector Cuper has no problem working in Greece for Panathinaikos," Camano told Goal.

"We have had no official contact yet but I can assure you that he wants to come.

"Panathinaikos is a big European club that Cuper knows very well.

"The timing is not a problem for my client."

Other names linked with the job include Co Adriaanse, Serse Cosmi and Aggelos Anastasiadis.

I think Cuper would be an excellent new coach for PAO, he has so much experience and knowledge.