Stelios Manolas facts for kids

Stelios Manolas (born on July 13, 1961) is a famous Greek former footballer. He played as a center back for AEK Athens. Many people think he was the best Greek defender of his time. He is also one of the few Greek players who spent their whole career with just one club. In 2021, a group called the IFFHS picked him for Greece's best team ever. After he stopped playing, he became a football manager.

Playing Career: A Loyal Defender

Stelios Manolas loved football from a young age. He played on the streets in Galatsi, a suburb of Athens. When he was a teenager, he played for a small local team called Aetos Galatsi. Scouts quickly noticed his talent and brought him to the attention of AEK Athens.

Joining AEK Athens Youth Teams

At just 15 years old, Stelios joined the AEK Youth teams. He was known for his great technical skills and smart playing style. In January 1980, he signed his first professional contract with the club. He was a strong player who always fought hard for his team.

Becoming a Key Player

Stelios started his career as a right back. However, his coach, Miltos Papapostolou, changed his position to center back. This became the position he played for the rest of his career. He made his first professional appearance on February 3, 1980. From the next season, he became a regular player in AEK's defense.

He was one of AEK's best players and a natural leader for almost his entire career. He helped AEK win many titles. A very famous moment was in 1989. In a big game against Olympiacos, he blocked a shot with his head right in front of AEK's goal. This helped AEK win the 1989 league title.

Staying with One Club

Big clubs like Porto and Monaco wanted Stelios to play for them. But he always said he would never leave AEK. He wanted to finish his career there, and he did. He played for AEK for 19 years and became their captain. His last game was against Skoda Xanthi, which was his 700th game for the club.

Stelios Manolas played 447 games in the Greek league. This is the second-highest number of appearances for AEK, after Mimis Papaioannou. He scored 34 goals in the league. With AEK, he won the league 4 times, the Greek Cup 3 times, and the Super Cup 2 times. He also won the only League Cup ever played in 1990.

International Career: Playing for Greece

Stelios Manolas played for the Greek national team in 71 matches. He scored 6 goals for his country between 1982 and 1994. He was part of the Greek team that played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA.

Managerial Career: Coaching Teams

After he stopped playing football, Stelios Manolas became a certified coach in 2002.

Coaching Youth and Club Teams

• He coached the Greece U21 team from 2002 to 2004.
• In 2008, he worked as a technical director for AEK, but he left in 2009.
• From November 2012 to February 2013, he managed Niki Volos.
• In 2014, he returned to AEK to coach the AEK Athens U20 team.

Caretaker Manager for AEK Athens

Stelios also stepped in as a temporary coach for the main AEK Athens team twice:

• In 2015, he took over after Traianos Dellas left.
• In 2016, he became caretaker coach again after Gus Poyet left. During this second time as caretaker manager, he helped AEK win the Greek Cup in 2016.

Personal Life

Stelios Manolas has a famous football family. His nephew, Kostas, is also a well-known defender who played for AEK Athens and Olympiacos. Stelios's son, Konstantinos, also played football for AEK.

Honours

Stelios Manolas won many titles during his career, both as a player and as a manager.

As a Player

AEK Athens

• Alpha Ethniki (Greek League): 1988–89, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94
• Greek Cup: 1982–83, 1995–96, 1996–97
• Greek Super Cup: 1989, 1996
• Greek League Cup: 1990

As a Manager

AEK Athens

• Greek Cup: 2015–16

See also

In Spanish: Stelios Manolas para niños

• List of one-club men in association football