Panathinaikos coach Jacob Neestrup criticizes Trinidad and Tobago management over Levi Garcia fitness

Source reporting: 18 October 2026. Added to ScoreTransfer on the publication date shown above.

Panathinaikos coach Jacob Neestrup addressed the limited playing time of forward Levi Garcia following his return from international duty. Neestrup stated that the player was not physically prepared to participate in more than one half of a match upon his arrival back at the club.

The coach expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the Trinidad and Tobago national team staff managed Garcia during the recent international break. Neestrup claimed that the national team coaches had ruined the player's condition through their handling of his schedule and workload.

Neestrup alleged that Garcia was required to play three consecutive matches for his country. The coach noted that this heavy fixture list came after the player had already endured a long journey to join the national squad, contributing to his reduced fitness levels.

Garcia’s minutes on the pitch have been carefully monitored since his return. He played for 30 minutes in the match against Olympiacos and featured for a slightly longer period in the game against Borac. In the current match, he played for 45 minutes, a duration that was agreed upon in advance with the club's fitness coach.

Despite the concerns over his recent workload, Neestrup described Garcia as one of the most important players in the Panathinaikos squad. The coach highlighted the player's versatility, noting that he is utilized effectively as both a striker and a right winger for the team.