Cypriot side AEZ Zakakiou have hired a former Premier League star as their new head coach in a surprise new move for the 37-year-old.
After playing for teams such as Southampton and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, the midfielder moved to Cypriot side Pafos in 2019 before finishing his playing career at Anorthosis Famagusta four years later.
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Keen to ply his trade as a coach, the Croydon-born star stayed in Cyprus to take charge of second-tier side Peyia 2014 last summer and left in January to pursue a new move.
AEZ Zakakiou, who are 12th in the 14-team Cypriot top flight, announced they had appointed Jason Puncheon as their new coach on Saturday.
Jason Puncheon in action for Crystal Palace.
Puncheon made 74 appearances for Southampton, helping the Saints win promotion to the Premier League in 2012 before leaving for boyhood club Crystal Palace two years later.
Former Premier League star Jason Puncheon takes on surprise new managerial role
He spent six seasons at Selhurst Park, scoring 16 goals in 169 appearances and helping the Eagles establish their status as a Premier League club.
One of Puncheon’s most memorable moments on the football field came in 2013, when he had to run off the pitch during Southampton’s clash with Everton.
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After it was revealed that the midfielder needed to make an urgent call to the bathroom, hilarious chants from fans followed in the following weeks.
Puncheon’s performances would be accompanied by chants of: ‘He fucks when he wants, Jason Puncheon, he fucks when he wants.’
Following the chants well, the former Saints star then celebrated a goal by pretending to poop in front of the crowd, who reacted with humor.