Stelios Manolas

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# Stelios Manolas Stelios Manolas (Greek: Στέλιος Μανωλάς, born 13 July 1961) is a Greek former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for AEK Athens and a current manager. Widely regarded as the best Greek defender of his era, he is one of the few Greek footballers to have played his entire professional career for a single club. In 2021, the IFFHS chose him in Greece's best XI of all time.[2] Manolas started football from a young age, playing on the streets and vacant lots in and around the suburb of Galatsi, where he lived during his childhood. In his early teens he played for a local amateur club, Aetos Galatsi alongside his friend, Kostas Antoniou.[3] During that period he was discovered by scouts and was brought to the attention of AEK Athens. In 1976 he joined the academies of the club. Over time, he was distinguished for his technical skill, intelligence and tactical mind. On 2 January 1980, he signed his first professional contract and was promoted to the men's team.[4] He made his debut shortly after on 3 February 1980 in a 1–1 draw against Kastoria and from the next season onwards, he became a regular in the team's defense.[5] As a youngster, he presented solid technical training, dynamism, perception and a fighting spirit. He was a mastermind of the defense, influenced his teammates and boosted their confidence. Even though he was started his career as a right back, he was converted into a centre-back by Hans Tilkowski, a position where he was established for the rest of his career. On 29 June 1983 he played in the final of the Greek Cup, where they won 2–0 against PAOK and lifted the trophy.[6] He didn't take him long to become amongst the best players of the team and one their natural leaders. In the summer of 1988 despite his desire to depart from AEK, the new president, Stratos Gidopoulos alongside the new manager Dušan Bajević persuaded him to stay and renew his contract, which he did on 8 July.[7] On 7 May 1989 in the crucial game against Olympiacos at the Olympic Stadium, he made a save with his head on the goal line after a shot by Lajos Détári,[8] that brought AEK their first Championship after 10 years.[9] In the following season AEK went to win the Super Cup and the League Cup.[10] Under Bajević, AEK Athens went into a title-winning era. Manolas alongside Toni Savevski, became the main players that the team was based during the 90's, while he also served as their captain. On 19 November 1993 he renewed his contract for another 1,5 years.[11] Manolas was targeted by Porto and Monaco, but as he stated, he didn't intend in leaving the club, as his desire was to retire there. In the summer of 1994, after the conquest of 3 consecutive Championships,[12][13][14] he led the club in reaching the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first Greek club to qualify in the new format.[15] On 6 July 1995 he renewed his contract for another year.[16] AEK went to win the Cup at the end of the season,[17] while the lost the league to a margin by Panathinaikos.[18] Despite the departure of Bajević in the following summer, Manolas stayed at the club and renewed his contract for another year on 18 July 1996.[19] Under the new manager and his former teammate, Petros Ravousis, they won the Super Cup and another Cup at the end of the season.[20] In the summer of 1997 Manolas, dissatisfied with the owner Michalis Trochanas, withdrew from the club's activities,[21] until ENIC became the major shareholder of the club. The former player Lakis Nikolaou was appointed as the club's president and persuaded Manolas to return and end his career at the end of the season.[22] His last match was against Skoda Xanthi which earned him his 700th appearance.[23] Manolas ended his career after 19 seasons, being second in league appearances behind Mimis Papaioannou and 12th in the history of the tournaments. With AEK, he won in total 4 Championships, 3 Cups, 2 Super Cups and the League Cup in 1990.[24] Manolas played for Greece in 71 matches from 1982 to 1994 and scored 6 goals.[25] He was a member of the squad that played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, in the USA.[26] After his retirement, Manolas became a certified manager in 2002 and worked at the bench of Greece U21 until 2004.[27] In 2008 he held the post of technical director in AEK, where he resigned in 2009.[28] In November 2012 he became the manager of Niki Volos where he stayed for three months.[29] In the summer of 2014 he returned to AEK, as the coach of AEK Athens U20.[30] In 2015, he was called from AEK as an interim coach to replace Traianos Dellas in the men's team, and was then called again at the same position to replace Gus Poyet. During his second managerial period, he won the Cup in 2016.[31] Manolas is the uncle of former AEK Athens and Olympiacos international defender, Kostas.[32] His son, Konstantinos, was also a footballer who played for AEK.[33] Last updated: 2022-07-15Source: Stelios Manolas at National-Football-Teams.com AEK Athens[6][9][10][12][13][14][17][20] AEK Athens[36]