Sanchez named to save struggling Apollon

Dublin: Former Northern Ireland coach Lawrie Sanchez was named Sunday as Greek Super League club Apollon Smyrni`s third manager of the season.

Sanchez replaced Babis Tennes who was in the post for just over a month with his predecessor Alexandros Vosniadis having been fired in early October. Apollon are struggling in 16th place in the 18-team circuit with just eight points in the first 11 matches. Sanchez`s highlight as a player came in the 1988 FA Cup Final when he scored the winning goal for Wimbledon against Liverpool, leading to one of the biggest Cup upsets. He also had spells with Reading, Wimbledon, Swindon Town and Sligo Rovers. Sanchez won three caps for Northern Ireland. He began his managerial career in Sligo before moving on to Wycombe Wanderers, Northern Ireland (2004-2007), Fulham and Barnet. Born in London Sanchez is known as `the magician` after saving English sides Wycombe, Fulham and Barnet from relegation and will be asked to pull off the same trick by his new employers.