What changes has Ivan Jovanovic made to turn Greece into an elite team?

Greece are top of their Nations League’s group F.

Ivan Jovanovic has brought a winning mindset to Greece’s national team. He has led them to four wins in their UEFA Nations League group. Their sweetest victory among them has to be beating England 2-1 this month.

Greece are top of League B Group 2 (also known as Group F) of Nations League with 12 points which consists of Ireland, Finland and England.

Looking at their form and how impressive they have been makes one wonder how coach Ivan Jovanovic has changed the fortunes of the national team. This is the same nation that failed to qualify for Euro 2024 after losing to Georgia on penalties in the qualifier playoffs.

But now under the former Al-Nassr coach, they are playing entertaining football. The world is slowly by slowing admiring Greece’s tenacity under Jovanovic in the Nations League. Their win against the Three Lions laid the mark as to why we should not underestimate a nation like Greece.

But what has been the reason for Greece’s upturn in their performance? How Ivan Jovanovic who never managed a big nation is leading Greece to wins?

🇬🇷🇷🇸 Greece's record under new manager Ivan Jovanović… 📈✅ 3-0 win vs Finland✅ 2-0 win vs Ireland ✅ 2-1 win vs England✅ 2-0 win vs Ireland 4 games, 4 wins. pic.twitter.com/LmhxP8O1bm

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 13, 2024

How Ivan Jovanovic has changed Greece’s fortune?

It was least expected from Greece to pull off one of the biggest upsets when they scraped through a 2-1 victory against England. But it was not a fluke win as they later prevailed comfortably 2-0 against Ireland in the Nations League. It was a demonstration from the Pirate Ship they are here to be serious contenders.

When they beat Ireland there was a sign of re-birth from Greece who struggled to move on from their traumatic failure to reach the Euro 2024.

However, Ivan Jovanovic has not done any magic by changing the squad or anything. He took charge of the same squad that his predecessor, Gus Poyet, used in the Euro playoff loss to the Georgians. 10 of the players who played in the October Nations League games had also played their part in that playoff loss to Georgia. Hence, Jovanovic has taken over a team and changed it drastically internally to pull off amazing results.

Jovanovic has brought changes within the squad which has been the reason for their transformation. He has managed to instil confidence that was shattered by missing out on Euro 2024.

Greece FA have got their new man right. Under Poyet (former manager) it was an expensive gamble and did not pay, while Jovanvoci knows the country inside out.

He played in Greece for a decade (1989-1999) and also managed four clubs in Greece (and one in Greek-speaking Cyprus). He was seen as a favourite to take the helm at the national team after Poyet’s poor stint.

Ivan Jovanovic has now become instantly popular with the players and media. Jovanovic is proving to be the ideal manager who is on his way to changing the trajectory of Greece.

“We have to fix a lot of things during the games, but I saw the boys trying hard. What counts is the result. We saw how we can play, we have talent and lads who can carry the burden of the national team,” he said before flying out to Dublin.

“We have talented young kids as well as experienced players. Results are what we want. We represent this country, we have to show something positive, but I am happy because despite some suffering, we are learning. Until recently I worked in a team [club side Panathinaikos] where I had more time, but the victory gives us time to work in peace.”

Greece supporters can now hope for great things, which should be in line with their victory at Euro 2004. Even so, Ivan Jovanovic is aware of how he is making an impression on Greece, but they still have work to do.

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