Pafos FC, just 11 years after its formation, is set to debut in the Champions League, after a remarkable journey. Bolstered by signings like David Luiz and victories over tough opponents, the Cypriot club aims to make a statement on Europe’s biggest stage.
Cypriot side Pafos FC is set to make its Champions League debut this Wednesday, marking a remarkable journey just 11 years after its formation. The club has been making headlines in recent years, with its first foray into European competition last season, reaching the Conference League last 16, and securing its first league title.
This season, Pafos has achieved another significant milestone by navigating three qualifying rounds to reach the Champions League proper. They stand alongside Kairat Almaty from Kazakhstan as the only two teams making their debut in the competition. Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Red Star Belgrade were all defeated by Pafos during the qualifying stages, demonstrating their determination and skill.
As a reward for their hard-fought qualification, Pafos will participate in eight matches in the league phase. These include a highly anticipated home game against Bayern Munich and a trip to Chelsea. However, their campaign begins with a challenging away fixture against Olympiakos in Greece on Wednesday. The excitement and anticipation surrounding Pafos' Champions League debut are palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting their team's performance on the grand stage.
David Luiz, the former Brazil and Chelsea defender who joined Pafos in August, shared his excitement with BBC Sport about the club's qualification. "Everybody was in ecstasy," he said. "Everybody was totally happy because we did something amazing. Nobody expected us to be in the Champions League this season. I'm very happy to be here because I can see this feeling, with everybody's hunger, to do something great." Luiz's arrival has further boosted the club's profile and morale, adding a touch of star power to their Champions League journey.
Formed in 2014, a brief history
Pafos FC was established in 2014 through the merger of two clubs from the region: AEK Kouklia and AEP Paphos. These clubs themselves were the product of a merger in 2000 between two other teams in the district. The newly formed Pafos FC began its journey in the second tier of Cypriot football, experiencing periods of promotion and relegation until the takeover by Roman Dubov in 2017. Dubov, a Russian businessman with British citizenship and a former owner of Portsmouth, brought a new vision and ambition to the club.
Dubov's vision was clear: to create a competitive and sustainable football club that could give back to the community. He aimed to build something from the ground up in Pafos, a city with a deep love for football. However, immediate success was not forthcoming, and the club faced challenges in its early years.
Cypriot journalist Andreas Odysseos noted that Total Sport Investment's transformation of the club has been remarkable. He explained that the club had struggled to stay in the top division and that passion in Mediterranean countries is often extreme. When the team performs well, the stadium is full, but when they struggle, attendance dwindles. Odysseos acknowledged that there were mistakes made in the early years, with spending that did not yield the desired results. However, he emphasized that the club learned from these experiences and eventually found a successful model.
British managers have a crack
Several British managers had spells in charge of Pafos, including Scotland's Steven Pressley, who managed the team for 19 games in 2018. Welshman Cameron Toshack took charge for 21 games in 2019-20, and England's Stephen Constantine managed the team for 18 games in 2021. Additionally, former Blackburn defenders Henning Berg and Michel Salgado, who also served as sporting director, had caretaker spells at the club. Former Premier League midfielder Jason Puncheon also played for Pafos from 2019 to 2022.
Success starts under ex-Arsenal coach
The turning point for Pafos came with the arrival of Spaniard Juan Carlos Carcedo in June 2023. Carcedo had previously served as Unai Emery's assistant manager at six different clubs, including Arsenal. Before joining Pafos, he managed Ibiza and Zaragoza. Carcedo's impact was immediate, leading the club to its first-ever trophy: the 2023–24 Cypriot Cup. Pafos defeated Omonia 3-0 in the final, which was held in Omonia's home stadium.
In his second season, Carcedo guided Pafos through three rounds of Conference League qualifying. The team finished 12th in the league phase and won their play-off round match before losing to Djurgardens in the last 16. Most significantly, Pafos secured its first-ever Cypriot league title, finishing seven points ahead of their nearest rival. Jaja's late goal against Red Star Belgrade sealed their place in the Champions League league phase, sparking wild celebrations among players, staff, and fans.
Journalist Odysseos highlighted that the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, is a passionate Pafos FC fan who attends matches. He was present at the game against Red Star Belgrade and celebrated the victory with unbridled enthusiasm. The achievement is considered a major milestone for the club and Cypriot football, comparable to winning the league title. Odysseos emphasized that this championship, cup, and Champions League league phase presence is a significant achievement for Pafos.
'I think we can do something special'
In a surprising move this summer, Pafos signed defender David Luiz, who had been playing for Fortaleza in Brazil after leaving Arsenal for Flamengo in 2021. Odysseos explained that Luiz's arrival is not only about his playing abilities but also about enhancing Pafos' image and making it a more attractive football destination. He described it as a PR move, which has been well-received. In a country with a population of one million, the presence of a big star like Luiz generates excitement and admiration.
Luiz has made two substitute appearances in the Cypriot top flight thus far. He is currently involved in legal proceedings in Brazil following allegations that he threatened a woman. Luiz has denied the allegations, stating that he exchanged messages with the woman but did not threaten her. His management team has stated that the case is under judicial confidentiality, and he will not make any further public statements on the matter.
Looking ahead, Luiz is excited about the prospect of playing against his former club, Chelsea, in their seventh league phase game in January. He expressed his gratitude to Chelsea and vowed to give his best on the pitch. Despite acknowledging the challenges ahead, Luiz believes that Pafos can achieve something special in the Champions League. He sees it as a significant opportunity to showcase their qualities to the world.