Aleksandar TrifunovicIt was a common secret in the past few weeks that Panionios' president Elias Lianos would substantially reduce Panionios' budget for the upcoming season.

As a result of that budget cut a new strategy was necessary to be implemented in order for Panionios to be competitive in the upcoming season.

That strategy required a turn to mainly Greek players and a local Greek coach who would cost less than a foreign coach in the calibre of Alexandar Trifunovic. Although the Serb coach still has a running contract he is expected in Athens in the following days to start negotiating for his release.

There have been rumours that Panionios is interested in the Greek Soulis Markopoulis who coached Marousi this season and led them to the Euroleague for the first time in their history.