Super League high-flyer Atromitos announced this week the hiring of Greek coach Nikos Anastopoulos to replace Dusan Bajevic.
The new position might not have gone down well with fans, when Anastopoulos was ambushed and attacked this week in a café in Kolonaki by two unknown men.
Witnesses said that even chairs were being thrown, which forced a bleeding Anastopoulos to hide in upstairs in the cafe.
He denied to comment to the media on his way to Iraklio.
Former manager Bajevic resigned last week after the team didn’t qualify for the next round of the Greek Cup. Going in as the favourites, Atromitos achieved a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Volos from second-division Olympiakos Volou thanks to a late equalizer. The team then thought the second leg would be an easy task at Peristeri. Yet the 2-1 lead Atromitos had just before the end proved insufficient to qualify, as Olympiakos Volou equalized (2-2) a minute from time to advance to the last 16 of the competition.
Anastopoulos had also unexpectedly resigned last week from the managerial post at OFI Crete after a relatively successful spell in the Iraklio club.
The 55-year-old manager signed his contract and had his first training session with the Atromitos players this week.
Reports have also linked former OFI striker Vangelis Mantzios with a move to the Peristeri team, suggesting Anastopoulos has asked for his signing.
Atromitos lies joint third in the league table along with Asteras Tripolis after the first half of the season.