page_title: History of AEK F.C.
section_title: The Manolo Jiménez Era, Part I (2010–2011)
hierarchical_section_title: History of AEK F.C. / Modern history (2008–) / The Manolo Jiménez Era, Part I (2010–2011)
caption_attribution_description: English: Fabián Andrés Vargas (2011-10-20)
context_page_description: AEK Athens F.C., as one of the most famous association football clubs, as one of the biggest clubs and the most historical club in Greece, has a long, unique and idiosyncratic history, and has experienced both the highs and the lows of the game. It won its first championship in 1939 and has gone on to become one of Greece's most successful football teams.
context_section_description: 2010–11 season, Part II
  On 9 October 2010 Manolo Jiménez agreed a two-year deal with AEK Athens.
  Results were instantly improved and AEK Athens won both derby matches against Panathinaikos and Olympiacos by 1–0 and secured an impressive 0–4 away victory against Aris. They also beat PAOK 4–0 thanks to goals by Papa Bouba Diop, Nacho Scocco (x2) and Traianos Dellas.
  AEK Athens moved to a new training complex in Spata on November 2010. The complex was built using funds of AEK Athens shareholder Nikos Notias.
  During the winter transfer period AEK Athens signed Moroccan international Nabil Baha and Croatian international Dino Drpić and loaned Míchel and David Mateos.
  In the Greek Cup AEK Athens easily surpassed Larissa with an 0–4 away victory thanks to goals by Ismael Blanco, Nikos Georgeas, Rafik Djebbour and Kostas Manolas. In the quarter-finals they faced rivals Panathinaikos. Two goals by Nikos Liberopoulos secured a 0–2 away victory which seemed to be enough to secure qualification. In the second leg Panagiotis Lagos scored first for AEK Athens but they went on to concede three goals. A last stoppage time goal thanks to a long-range free kick by Míchel gave AEK Athens a place in the semi-finals, where they would face PAOK. The first game was held in Athens and ended in a 0–0 draw with the woodwork coming to PAOK's rescue twice after powerful headers by Papa Bouba Diop. In Salonica AEK Athens secured a 0–1 win and a place in the final thanks to a header by their captain Traianos Dellas. The final against Atromitos proved easy and thanks to goals by Nikos Liberopoulos, Nabil Baha and Pantelis Kafes they won 3–0, winning the Greek Cup.
  In the Superleague playoffs AEK Athens made a good start with two home wins (against Olympiakos Volou and P.A.O.K.) and an away draw against Panathinaikos but lost all tree remaining matches finishing third.
  2011–12 season, Part I
  The transfer of Nacho Scocco to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates brought 2.8 million Euros to AEK Athens yet combined with the departure of Argentine international Sebastián Saja and Míchel greatly depowered the squad. Furthermore, Papa Bouba Diop had to leave the team as his wife experienced complications during her pregnancy. To compensate for these departures AEK Athens signed former Iceland's captain Eiður Guðjohnsen, José Carlos and Greek international Dimi. Additionally Steve Beleck and Cala were signed on one-year-long loan deals. They also completed the last minute signing of Colombian international Fabián Vargas.
  In the UEFA Europa League play-off round AEK Athens were drawn against Georgian runner-up side Dinamo Tbilisi. In Athens AEK Athens won 1–0 thanks to a header by José Carlos. In Tbilisi Dinamo scored a first-minute goal thanks to their captain Aleksandre Koshkadze and led the match to extra time. During extra time AEK Athens managed to equilise thanks to a penalty won by Guðjohnsen and taken by Leonardo. In the Group Stage AEK Athens was drawn against Belgian third place side Anderlecht, Russia fifth placed side Lokomotiv Moscow and Austrian champions Sturm Graz.
  The Greek Superleague premier game for AEK Athens was postponed twice. First due to the Koriopolis match fixing scandal in Greek football and then due to prime minister George Papandreou's speech in the Thessaloniki International Fair.
  On 5 October 2011 Manolo Jiménez's contract was mutually terminated following heavy defeats in the hands of Anderlecht and P.A.O.K..
caption: Fabián Vargas (2011-10-20)
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