8 November 2006, by Marco Pereira

Inacio quits Beira-Mar and heads for Greece

Third coaching casualty of the season

Beira-Mar have officially announced that coach Augusto Inacio has handed in his resignation.

Although the newly promoted club have struggled this season and currently lies third from bottom in the table, the overriding reason for Inacio’s departure is the fact that he has been made an “offer he couldn’t refuse” from Greek club Ionikos.

There he will find fellow Portuguese player, Filipe da Costa.

The resignation marks the third coaching causality this season. Helio Sousa (Setubal) and Zeljko Petrovic (Boavista) were both shown the door after poor starts to the campaign.

Beira-Mar president Artur Filipe revealed a little about how the decision was arrived at saying, “Inacio’s exit has been under negotiation for one week and everything was finalised yesterday (Monday) morning.”

“The offer was too good to refuse for Inacio and we could not cut off his legs. Anyway, we will be compensated.”

Inacio made his name in Portugal as the man to lead Sporting to their first title in 18 years in 1999/2000.

With respect to his successor, Filipe is not worried about finding a replacement and says the process is already well under way. “We have received many offers. We have a list of three or four names, one of whom will be selected.”

“This year is not about gaining experience. With the team returning to the top flight and the situation that we are currently in we cannot afford that luxury.”