PIRAEUS, Greece (AFP) - Greek defending champions Olympiakos Piraeus announced Tuesday the release of coach Takis Lemonis from his duties and his replacement with assistant Jose Segura for the remaining six matches of the season.

Olympiakos were knocked out of the last 16 of the Champions League by Chelsea last week and are currently second in the league, one point behind rivals Panathinaikos.

Lemonis, 48, has coached Olympiakos twice, from 2000 to 2003 and then after returning in 2006 led the club to two league titles.