ATHENS: Greece, surprise European champions in 2004, have appointed Uruguayan Gus Poyet as new national team coach after failing to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar.

The Greek federation confirmed in a statement that it had agreed terns with the former Chelsea, Tottenham and Uruguay midfielder. This will be his first national team job.

Poyet, 54, succeeds Dutchman John van’t Schip who resigned in November after Greece finished third in their World Cup qualifying group behind Spain and Sweden.

He has coached clubs in China, Spain and France, and also had spells at the helm of Sunderland and Greek club AEK Athens.

Poyet’s task is to rebuild the team ahead of qualifying competition to reach the 2024 European Championship finals in Germany.

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