A lot can happen in a short space of time in the Europa League, and four clubs are preparing for their second group game without the coach who led them into the first.

AZ Alkmaar, Tromso, Elfsborg and Maribor have all seen changes, with AZ’s decision to sack Gertjan Verbeek coming as the biggest surprise. It came only a day after they had beaten PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in the Eredivisie.

Verbeek guided AZ to a 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa in their Group L opener, but it is his assistant, Martin Haar, who will have the responsibilities against Salonika.

If Verbeek’s dismissal came as a surprise, Tromso’s decision to part with Agnar Christensen was not.A 3-2 defeat to IK Start has left them in the thick of a relegation fight with five games to play in the Norwegian Eliteserien, and the club have now turned to Steinar Nilsen.

Their Europa League campaign began with a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, but it remains to be seen where Nilsen’s priorities lie as they prepare to face FC Sheriff in Group K.

Slovenian champions Maribor will take on Wigan Athletic in Group D with former striker and assistant coach Ante Simundza in charge after Ante Cacic left the club after a 2-1 league defeat to FC Koper.

At Elfsborg, Jorgen Lennartsson was given his marching orders with the team drifting in the Swedish Allsvenskan. Former Sweden midfielder Klas Ingesson will take charge of their Group C match against Standard Liege.

Group A throws up the most interesting fixtures following Swansea City’s superb 3-0 away win over Valencia.

Michael Laudrup’s men will look to build on that at home to St Gallen, but Valencia face with a tough trip to Kuban Krasnodar.

* Press Association