Sergio Markarián
Encyclopedia
Sergio Apraham Markarián (born November 1, 1944 in Montevideo
) is a Uruguay
an-Armenia
n football coach. Currently, he is the head coach of the national football team of Peru
.
during most of his childhood and adolescent years, from 7 to 18 years of age. He played football as a left center back defender until he was 17 years of age. Never making it to professional football, he entered into university studies and started working in a large fuel distribution company in Uruguay, eventually reaching the post of general manager. It was the Uruguay loss against Holland in the 1974 FIFA World Cup
which spurred Markarian to realise that coaching football was his vocation. Markarian abandoned his well-paid post as general manager, taking many risks, even when facing criticism from colleagues and friends, in order to dedicate his life to coaching professional football. Markarian lost status and spending power and endured 10 difficult years at the beginning of his coaching career. As he stated, "I had to sell my Mercedes Benz and start catching the bus!" Markarián followed his heart and has become a well-respected professional coach worldwide. He is recognized for being a great tactician, which earned him the nickname, "El Mago" ("The Magician" in Spanish)
of Uruguay
and went on to coach the first team. Markarian made his professional coaching debut as a coach for the football club, Olimpia Asunción
of Paraguay
in 1983. He won the Paraguayan league with Olimpia the very same year he started coaching in 1983 and then again in 1985. After his four year stay at Olimpia, he made the move to the Paraguayan club, Sol de America
, leading them to win the Torneo Republica
and to become the Paraguayan league runner-up in 1989. He then made the move to another Paraguayan giant, Cerro Porteño
, winning the Torneo Republica
in 1990.
Markarian coached the Paraguay
U-23 National Team in 1992, winning the South American Pre-Olympic Championships and a spot to compete in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. From 1993 to 1997, Markarian coached the Peruvian teams, Universitario de Deportes
and Sporting Cristal
winning one Peruvian league title with each of them. Markarian is also recognized for taking Sporting Cristal
to the Copa Libertadores Final in which Sporting Cristal
was the runner-up.
In 1998, Markarian coached the Greek team, Ionikos
, reaching fifth place in the Greek league and qualifying them for the UEFA Cup
.
Markarian became the coach of the Paraguay National team from 1999 through 2001 qualifying Paraguay to the 2002 World Cup
in Korea and Japan. He was fired by the Paraguayan Football Association in 2001 prior to the World Cup because he had lost his last two qualifier matches, a 3-1 away loss against Venezuela
and a 0-4 home loss against Colombia
. He was to be replaced by the Italian coach, Cesare Maldini
.
After coaching the Paraguay National team, Markarian returned to Greece and became the head coach of Panathinaikos
in 2002 reaching the quarter finals in the UEFA Champions League
. Markarian resigned his post as head coach in May, 2002 only to return in October saying that he "needed time off to collect his thought and relax". The following season, Markarian led them to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup
but lost to Jose Mourinho's FC Porto. In 2005, the Iraklis
Greek team hired him to help improve their first division standings.
After coaching in Greece since 2002, Markarian returned to Paraguay
to coach Libertad
from 2005 to 2007, winning Paraguayan League titles in 2006 and 2007.
Markarian was appointed coach of Mexico's Cruz Azul in June 2007 and took them to the Apertura final but lost to Santos Laguna
. He walked away a year later because of differences he had with the club's board regarding how to reinforce the squad.
He had the option to be the head coach of Costa Rica
national team, but the Costa Rican Football Federation picked Rodrigo Kenton
as their head coach.
Markarian coached Universidad de Chile in 2009, winning the Chilean Torneo Apertura- the first title the Universidad de Chile had won in the last 5 years- before then terminating his contract due to differences with the club's management only six months into the year.
On July 2010, Markarian was appointed as the new head coach of the Peruvian national team for the upcoming 2011 Copa America
and the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. Markarian succeeded José del Solar
who led the Peruvian team in a disastrous campaign, finishing last during the most recent World Cup qualifiers. Under great expectation from the media, Markarian stated in a press conference, "I expect from my heart that this will be my best work in my career as a coach". Markarian's objective is to qualify Peru to the next World Cup and recover the luster that Peruvian football once had. This could prove to be a great challenge since Peru
has missed out on the last 6 editions of the World Cup. Markarian has set out to overcome this challenge with the help of his assistants Pablo Bengoechea
and Óscar Aguirregaray and Physical Coach Gonzalo Barreiro. Markarian is currently the third best paid coach in South America earning $760,000 a year. Only Mano Menezes and Marcelo Bielsa
have higher salaries than Markarian. After the 1-0 loss in a friendly game with Panama
in October, Markarian excluded players Reimond Manco
, Jefferson Farfán
, and John Galliquio
from the squad because they reportedly went to a Panama City club despite orders not to go out.
Other successes
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
) is a Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an-Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n football coach. Currently, he is the head coach of the national football team of Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
.
Early life
Markarián lived in ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
during most of his childhood and adolescent years, from 7 to 18 years of age. He played football as a left center back defender until he was 17 years of age. Never making it to professional football, he entered into university studies and started working in a large fuel distribution company in Uruguay, eventually reaching the post of general manager. It was the Uruguay loss against Holland in the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
which spurred Markarian to realise that coaching football was his vocation. Markarian abandoned his well-paid post as general manager, taking many risks, even when facing criticism from colleagues and friends, in order to dedicate his life to coaching professional football. Markarian lost status and spending power and endured 10 difficult years at the beginning of his coaching career. As he stated, "I had to sell my Mercedes Benz and start catching the bus!" Markarián followed his heart and has become a well-respected professional coach worldwide. He is recognized for being a great tactician, which earned him the nickname, "El Mago" ("The Magician" in Spanish)
Coaching career
Even though he set out with the idea for the improvement of Uruguayan football, he never coached professionally in Uruguay. Markarian started his career in 1974 coaching the Reserves of Club Atlético Bella VistaClub Atlético Bella Vista
Club Atlético Bella Vista, usually known simply as Bella Vista is an Uruguayan football club based in Montevideo.-History:On October 4, 1920, Club Atlético Bella Vista was founded....
of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
and went on to coach the first team. Markarian made his professional coaching debut as a coach for the football club, Olimpia Asunción
Olimpia Asunción
Club Olimpia is a Paraguayan sport club based in Asunción. It is best known for its professional football team which plays in the Paraguayan Primera División....
of Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
in 1983. He won the Paraguayan league with Olimpia the very same year he started coaching in 1983 and then again in 1985. After his four year stay at Olimpia, he made the move to the Paraguayan club, Sol de America
Sol de América
The term Sol de América may refer to:* Club Sol de América, a Paraguayan sports club* Sol América, an airline based in Caracas...
, leading them to win the Torneo Republica
Torneo República
The Torneo República is a defunct football tournament from Paraguay. The competition was held at the beginning of the year and its purpose was to integrate teams from the Asunción area with teams from other departments in order to give teams from all over the country a chance to qualify for...
and to become the Paraguayan league runner-up in 1989. He then made the move to another Paraguayan giant, Cerro Porteño
Cerro Porteño
Club Cerro Porteño is a professional Paraguayan football club, based in the neighbourhood of Barrio Obrero in Asunción. Founded in 1912, Cerro has won 28 Primera División titles and is one of the most popular football club in Paraguay...
, winning the Torneo Republica
Torneo República
The Torneo República is a defunct football tournament from Paraguay. The competition was held at the beginning of the year and its purpose was to integrate teams from the Asunción area with teams from other departments in order to give teams from all over the country a chance to qualify for...
in 1990.
Markarian coached the Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
U-23 National Team in 1992, winning the South American Pre-Olympic Championships and a spot to compete in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. From 1993 to 1997, Markarian coached the Peruvian teams, Universitario de Deportes
Universitario de Deportes
Club Universitario de Deportes, also known as Universitario, or more popularly as [La] "U", is a Peruvian football club located in Lima. It is the most successful football club in Peru. The club was founded in 1924 under the name Federación Universitaria by students of the National University of...
and Sporting Cristal
Sporting Cristal
Club Sporting Cristal is a Peruvian football team. Based in the Rímac District, in the department of Lima, it plays in the professional league known as the Peruvian First Division. Founded on November 16, 1926 in the Rimac District given its approval to the merger and Snuff Sporting merging with...
winning one Peruvian league title with each of them. Markarian is also recognized for taking Sporting Cristal
Sporting Cristal
Club Sporting Cristal is a Peruvian football team. Based in the Rímac District, in the department of Lima, it plays in the professional league known as the Peruvian First Division. Founded on November 16, 1926 in the Rimac District given its approval to the merger and Snuff Sporting merging with...
to the Copa Libertadores Final in which Sporting Cristal
Sporting Cristal
Club Sporting Cristal is a Peruvian football team. Based in the Rímac District, in the department of Lima, it plays in the professional league known as the Peruvian First Division. Founded on November 16, 1926 in the Rimac District given its approval to the merger and Snuff Sporting merging with...
was the runner-up.
In 1998, Markarian coached the Greek team, Ionikos
Ionikos
Ionikos F.C., also known as Ionikos Nikaias , is a professional football club based in Nikaia, Piraeus, Greece, currently competing in Football League, the Greek second division.From 1989 to 2007 Ionikos spent 16 out of 18 seasons in Greek Super League...
, reaching fifth place in the Greek league and qualifying them for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
Markarian became the coach of the Paraguay National team from 1999 through 2001 qualifying Paraguay to the 2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup may refer to:*Alpine skiing – 2002 Alpine Skiing World Cup*Athletics – 2002 IAAF World Cup*Field Hockey:** 2002 Men's World Hockey Cup** 2002 Women's World Hockey Cup...
in Korea and Japan. He was fired by the Paraguayan Football Association in 2001 prior to the World Cup because he had lost his last two qualifier matches, a 3-1 away loss against Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
and a 0-4 home loss against Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. He was to be replaced by the Italian coach, Cesare Maldini
Cesare Maldini
Cesare Maldini is an Italian football manager and former player. He played as a centre back and spent the majority of his career with AC Milan. Maldini also represented Italy at international level in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. His son Paolo, also a defender, previously held the record for the...
.
After coaching the Paraguay National team, Markarian returned to Greece and became the head coach of Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos Athlitikos Omilos is a multi-sport club based in Athens, Greece. It has the shamrock as its official emblem and green and white as its colours...
in 2002 reaching the quarter finals in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. Markarian resigned his post as head coach in May, 2002 only to return in October saying that he "needed time off to collect his thought and relax". The following season, Markarian led them to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
but lost to Jose Mourinho's FC Porto. In 2005, the Iraklis
Iraklis
Iraklis , is a Greek football club, branch of Gymnastic Club Iraklis Thessaloniki, based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. The club used to play in the Greek Superleague and is one of the oldest clubs in Greek football and the oldest in Thessaloniki, hence the nickname Ghireos...
Greek team hired him to help improve their first division standings.
After coaching in Greece since 2002, Markarian returned to Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
to coach Libertad
Libertad
Libertad, the Spanish word for "freedom", may refer to any of the following:-Geography:Argentina*Libertad, Buenos Aires Province*Libertad, ChacoBelize*Libertad, BelizeEquador*Libertad, EquadorMexico*Libertad, Chihuahua*Libertad, Chiapas...
from 2005 to 2007, winning Paraguayan League titles in 2006 and 2007.
Markarian was appointed coach of Mexico's Cruz Azul in June 2007 and took them to the Apertura final but lost to Santos Laguna
Santos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise...
. He walked away a year later because of differences he had with the club's board regarding how to reinforce the squad.
He had the option to be the head coach of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
national team, but the Costa Rican Football Federation picked Rodrigo Kenton
Rodrigo Kenton
Rodrigo Kenton Johnson is a Costa Rican football coach and former player. He is known as "La Bomba" Kenton .- Career :...
as their head coach.
Markarian coached Universidad de Chile in 2009, winning the Chilean Torneo Apertura- the first title the Universidad de Chile had won in the last 5 years- before then terminating his contract due to differences with the club's management only six months into the year.
On July 2010, Markarian was appointed as the new head coach of the Peruvian national team for the upcoming 2011 Copa America
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
and the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. Markarian succeeded José del Solar
José del Solar
José Guillermo del Solar Alvarez-Calderón is a retired Peruvian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and a current coach....
who led the Peruvian team in a disastrous campaign, finishing last during the most recent World Cup qualifiers. Under great expectation from the media, Markarian stated in a press conference, "I expect from my heart that this will be my best work in my career as a coach". Markarian's objective is to qualify Peru to the next World Cup and recover the luster that Peruvian football once had. This could prove to be a great challenge since Peru
Peru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
has missed out on the last 6 editions of the World Cup. Markarian has set out to overcome this challenge with the help of his assistants Pablo Bengoechea
Pablo Bengoechea
Pablo Javier Bengoechea Dutra is a Uruguayan former professional footballer. A midfielder of exquisite technique, he played for several clubs in Uruguay and Spain. He was the captain of the club C.A. Peñarol and the Uruguay national team.He did also play at 1990 World Cup...
and Óscar Aguirregaray and Physical Coach Gonzalo Barreiro. Markarian is currently the third best paid coach in South America earning $760,000 a year. Only Mano Menezes and Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
have higher salaries than Markarian. After the 1-0 loss in a friendly game with Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
in October, Markarian excluded players Reimond Manco
Reimond Manco
Reimond Orángel Manco Albarracín is a Peruvian footballer who currently plays for Club Juan Aurich in the Peruvian First Division. He came to prominence in the 2007 South American Under 17 Football Championship, in which he was selected as player of the tournament. He was instrumental in Peru's...
, Jefferson Farfán
Jefferson Farfán
Jefferson Agustín Farfán Guadalupe is a Peruvian football player, playing for Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga.-Club career:Farfán began his professional career with Alianza Lima of Peru, with whom he signed for in 2001...
, and John Galliquio
John Galliquio
John Christian Galliquio Castro is a stout Peruvian football defender. He currently plays for Universitario de Deportes. He was called to play for the Peru national football team for the Copa America 2007, where he played 4 games with a regular performance.Galliquio has made 30 appearances for the...
from the squad because they reportedly went to a Panama City club despite orders not to go out.
Honours
National championships- 1983 Paraguayan League Champion with OlimpiaOlimpia- Sports teams :*Club Deportivo Olimpia, a football team from Honduras*Club Olimpia, a football team from Asunción, Paraguay*Olímpia Futebol Clube, a football team from Brazil*Olimpia Elbląg, a football team from Elbląg, Poland...
. - 1985 Paraguayan League Champion with OlimpiaOlimpia- Sports teams :*Club Deportivo Olimpia, a football team from Honduras*Club Olimpia, a football team from Asunción, Paraguay*Olímpia Futebol Clube, a football team from Brazil*Olimpia Elbląg, a football team from Elbląg, Poland...
. - 1993 Peruvian LeaguePrimera División PeruanaThe Peruvian Primera División is the top professional division of Peruvian football. It is known today as Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional Peruano...
Champion with Universitario de DeportesUniversitario de DeportesClub Universitario de Deportes, also known as Universitario, or more popularly as [La] "U", is a Peruvian football club located in Lima. It is the most successful football club in Peru. The club was founded in 1924 under the name Federación Universitaria by students of the National University of...
. - 1996 Peruvian LeaguePrimera División PeruanaThe Peruvian Primera División is the top professional division of Peruvian football. It is known today as Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional Peruano...
Champion with Sporting CristalSporting CristalClub Sporting Cristal is a Peruvian football team. Based in the Rímac District, in the department of Lima, it plays in the professional league known as the Peruvian First Division. Founded on November 16, 1926 in the Rimac District given its approval to the merger and Snuff Sporting merging with...
. - 2006 Paraguayan League Champion with LibertadLibertadLibertad, the Spanish word for "freedom", may refer to any of the following:-Geography:Argentina*Libertad, Buenos Aires Province*Libertad, ChacoBelize*Libertad, BelizeEquador*Libertad, EquadorMexico*Libertad, Chihuahua*Libertad, Chiapas...
. - 2007 Paraguayan League Champion with LibertadLibertadLibertad, the Spanish word for "freedom", may refer to any of the following:-Geography:Argentina*Libertad, Buenos Aires Province*Libertad, ChacoBelize*Libertad, BelizeEquador*Libertad, EquadorMexico*Libertad, Chihuahua*Libertad, Chiapas...
. - 2009 Torneo de Apertura de Chile 2009 Champion with Universidad de Chile.
- 2011 Kirin Cup Champion with Peru shared with Czech Republic and Japan
- 2011 Copa America with Peru Third Place
Other successes
- 1986 Paraguayan League Runner-up with OlimpiaOlimpia- Sports teams :*Club Deportivo Olimpia, a football team from Honduras*Club Olimpia, a football team from Asunción, Paraguay*Olímpia Futebol Clube, a football team from Brazil*Olimpia Elbląg, a football team from Elbląg, Poland...
. - 1989 Paraguayan League runner-up and Torneo RepúblicaTorneo RepúblicaThe Torneo República is a defunct football tournament from Paraguay. The competition was held at the beginning of the year and its purpose was to integrate teams from the Asunción area with teams from other departments in order to give teams from all over the country a chance to qualify for...
champion with Sol de AméricaSol de AméricaThe term Sol de América may refer to:* Club Sol de América, a Paraguayan sports club* Sol América, an airline based in Caracas...
. - 1990 Copa Republica Champion with Cerro PortenoCerro PorteñoClub Cerro Porteño is a professional Paraguayan football club, based in the neighbourhood of Barrio Obrero in Asunción. Founded in 1912, Cerro has won 28 Primera División titles and is one of the most popular football club in Paraguay...
. - 1991 Torneo de Honor Champion with Cerro PortenoCerro PorteñoClub Cerro Porteño is a professional Paraguayan football club, based in the neighbourhood of Barrio Obrero in Asunción. Founded in 1912, Cerro has won 28 Primera División titles and is one of the most popular football club in Paraguay...
. - 1992 South American Pre-Olympics Champion with Paraguay's U-23 Team.
- 1995 Peruvian LeaguePrimera División PeruanaThe Peruvian Primera División is the top professional division of Peruvian football. It is known today as Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional Peruano...
runner-up with Universitario de DeportesUniversitario de DeportesClub Universitario de Deportes, also known as Universitario, or more popularly as [La] "U", is a Peruvian football club located in Lima. It is the most successful football club in Peru. The club was founded in 1924 under the name Federación Universitaria by students of the National University of...
. - 1997 Copa Libertadores runner-up with Sporting CristalSporting CristalClub Sporting Cristal is a Peruvian football team. Based in the Rímac District, in the department of Lima, it plays in the professional league known as the Peruvian First Division. Founded on November 16, 1926 in the Rimac District given its approval to the merger and Snuff Sporting merging with...
. - 1998/99 UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
qualification with Ionikos of Greece. - 2002 Qualification to the 2002 FIFA World Cup2002 FIFA World CupThe 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
with the Paraguay national football teamParaguay national football teamThe Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
. - 2002 Panathinaikos of Greece to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. - 2003 Panathinaikos of Greece to the quarter finals of the UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. - 2008 Cruz Azul of Mexico to the final of Primera División de MéxicoPrimera División de MéxicoThe Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
.