 In season 1998–99 Nikola Stamenić, one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport, became the team's new head coach.Under Stamenić guidance, Yugoslavia men's national water polo team had won the gold medal in both the 1991 World Championship in Perth and the , becoming World and European Champions in the same year.Stamenić imposed strict professional conditions in Olympiacos, establishing a very demanding training program, iron-fisted discipline and meticulous tactical analysis.