Palikoutsa: “Kamara is ending, we will change 1/3 of Mars”

He spoke about the burning issues of Aris, but also about the team’s plan for the next season, at the press conference at “Kl. Vikelidis” o Robert Palikutsa.

The technical director of the “yellows” answered all the questions of the journalists present and said that there will be many changes, as 1/3 of the roster changes.

At the same time, he noted that Abubakar Kamara will be a thing of the past from the club, while he also spoke about him Luis Palma, but also for the fact that the Thessalonians are in discussions with two Greek footballers.

His statements in detail:

In his first statement and before taking questions, he stated: “What I see and feel is that there are people who work with dedication. But we need to intervene. It needs reinforcement. To make the club more professional at all levels. There are top talents in the academies and we want to work and invest in them. We have offered a professional contract to a 15-year-old, but he wants to think about it. Apparently he has not been convinced by the academies and the environment. We need to focus on this part.

As for the first team, I had seen a lot of games beforehand. There is a roster with quality, good players but also issues. We saw one of them yesterday with the penalty. Some players don’t follow the rules. It didn’t happen for the first time. We had issues in the disciplinary part. We have to change it because by imposing discipline we will be able to change the mentality. We should be satisfied that the team is in 5th place and in Europe, although the quality they have was for more than that.”

Regarding the stay of Tolis Terzis, even if it was his decision: “I decided together with the president. It was a joint decision. I watch his trainings, He works with passion, dedication. I also spoke to the players. Everyone told me very good things about his training and the analysis he does, about our team and the opponent. I have also done my relevant research all this time. We decided to give him a chance to start over. Additions will be made to the technical price. We will give him all guarantees. Professional executives. To modernize the technical value. Terzis deserves this opportunity. This year we had three coaches. The fact that the team finished 5th says something. In previous years and this year the president made a big investment in coaches but in the end the team did not have the progress he expected. So our decision is to invest this money in the team, to strengthen it, together with the additions to the technical team”.

On what Ari wants to see the new season on the field: “To create a team with balance. I want the team to play aggressive and dominant football. This year we had quality up front but we also need players with leadership qualities, like Darida, to build on. From. the other we need young players, hungry for distinctions and work. To help the team and develop, like Palma. We want players like that too. Let’s build a team that will be characterized by team spirit and we will work on this a lot in the summer”.

There are players whose contracts are expiring and we will not renew them. There are players we are talking to to stay. There are also those who have a contract but have been informed that they have no future in the team. In the summer and winter we want to lay the foundations for a team with a three-year plan. Preparation begins on June 12. We want to work on many pieces to present a team that will bring joy to the world. Ari’s friends are amazing, next to us but we have to give them something. Let’s… light the flame, so that they are more massively next to us”.

On whether the Chamber’s stay clause is triggered: “There is a stay clause for Kamara, but we will not activate him. I can find a better player for less money.”



Regarding the sale of Palma, he emphasized: “It’s not just Scotland. This year he played well, There is also interest from North and South America. Strong teams. We will wait. The player wants to make the best decision for him. He will rest and prepare for the new season. We have set a certain amount and we will not fall. He’s too good to be sold for… crumbs. It may evolve further. We’ll see what the next few days bring. We are not yet at a stage where its sale can end immediately. If we don’t get what we want, it will stay on Mars.”



For the problems that existed in the team with disciplinary offences: “When I came here, from the first days I found disciplinary issues. However, it was not easy for the coach to make the decisions he had to in the midst of obligations. There were cases where five players had to be punished but we also had issues with Volos nearby. They were things he had to measure and make his decisions about. The coach was talking to the players, and so was I. Fines have been imposed. There were players who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such behaviors carry over into the field. Players with full resumes but who didn’t get into the… skin of the team”.

I would like… 20 Daridas in the team but it is not easy. I have found the problem. It’s something we’ll fix now and it won’t happen again in the future.”

About the possible sales and how it will move in this area: “Last year we sold a player for 5 million euros. This year we want to increase it to 6 million. To have players with a higher resale value. We will look to upgrade the team at all levels. The budget will be approximately the same and there is an assurance from the president that he will raise it if necessary.”

On whether the goal is to Greekize the roster: “I’m talking to two players. I don’t know if anything will happen.. Aris is a Greek team, so it needs Greek players. It needs time. But both sides must want it. As at the same time we want to highlight players from our academies. We want Greeks, but they must also be competent. When you talk with a player, with their environment, you feel if Mars is a priority for them. If it’s not… that’s it. We want players who will have our team as their first choice.”

Regarding whether there will be contract renewals: “I won’t name names… We want to keep two players, I spoke with them and their representatives. I hope they stay because they are good characters and good players. They have the right team spirit. They fit what we want to create. With some other players, it’s simple because we won’t keep them. Others don’t give a damn. Others do but not in proportion to the money they receive. Others don’t have the right mindset.”



For the cases of young Chrysopoulos, Chatziioannou and Karakasidis: “Hatziioannou and Karakasidis will go to Panathinaikos. They made their decision. I wish them the best of luck. Chrysopoulos will return from Olympiakos and I want to see him, how he will work in our environment. As long as I saw him, he left a good impression on me.”

For the transfers with rich resumes that were made all these years in Mars and did not catch on: “When you get six or seven players, it doesn’t mean that they will all work out for you. I want the three immediately and then the rest. There are players with rich resumes, you invest money but they don’t always come out as options. It happens everywhere. I want players with a rich resume, leadership qualities, experience and to guide the team in the locker room. This will also help the younger ones. For the players you mentioned, the choices turned out to be incorrect. They didn’t put their resume on the field. In the team we have players with leadership qualities and the mentality that I want, to lead the team. Darida for example… Then Roop, who is an amazing professional with leadership qualities. He showed his quality, regardless of being unlucky.”

On the team’s staffing and what he doesn’t like: “Last week I had a conversation with all the staff. Coaches, doctors, bus driver… I told them what I wanted. Football is an emotion. If you haven’t, you must resign. But we must think that we are role models for those who see us on television. Have sportsmanship. They might argue 20/20 but that’s the end of it. You go to the end and give the opponent a hand. I don’t like arguments and tensions. The doctor forgot yesterday and called an acquaintance in the stands. PAO’s friends saw him and the tension started. That’s why I went and pulled him. As for Kamara, he was told something from the stands. But when you’re a professional, you shouldn’t react.”

For the arbitration: “I don’t know what has happened to the referees in the last five years. Maybe there needs to be a re-approach to the issue of referees. Maybe we shouldn’t be so aggressive and show more respect. There have been games I’ve had disagreements with. That we ended up in fifth place in the standings was not a consequence of dietary mistakes. If we look at all the games, we will see that many of the goals we conceded were the result of individual mistakes and a lack of concentration.”



Watch the video of PAE Aris from the press conference: