Kostas Manolas
Encyclopedia
Konstantinos "Kostas" Manolas is a Greek
football defender currently playing for AEK Athens. Kostas Manolas is a nephew of Greek football and AEK legend Stelios Manolas
. Manolas also wears the number 4, previously worn by his uncle. He originates from Naxos
.
Stelios Manolas himself stated, "Kostas is my "successor" although Stelios Manolas is regarded to be the best Greek defender of all time.
in 2005 to 2007. In 2009, Stelios Manolas, who was the AEK Technical Director
was scouting his nephew at a youth match with AEK manager Dusan Bajevic
and was impressed with his performance.
On 16 June 2009, Manolas signed a three year deal with AEK Athens.
After signing for AEK, Manolas stated: I am very happy signing for the team I support, hopefully I can be a legend at the club like my uncle and end my career at AEK.
Manolas made his debut against AO Kavala and was rewarded the MVP award. After the match he stated, It's a dream to play for the club I love. Manolas was also rewarded the MVP the following week playing against PAOK. On his first 7 matches, Manolas was rewarded the MVP award 5 times.
Manolas scored his first professional goal against arch rivals Olympiacos F.C. on 19 May 2010. Although he was playing with a broken jugal since the 1st minute of the match after a dangerous nudge by Kostas Mitroglou, he scored on the 6th minute, ignoring all pains. However, he left the pitch on the 15th in a bad situation. He refused to be taken to the hospital before the match was over, despite being urged by his uncle Stelios Manolas
. The next day, he underwent a successful three-hour surgery and has recovered and has attended to his training sessions.
, Udinese, Getafe
and Schalke. Manolas scored a very important goal for AEK Athens against HNK Hajduk Split
securing the win for AEK Athens. The following week, Manolas found the back of the net again against Larissa
in the Greek Cup(which later on AEK Athens went on to win the Greek cup). His impressive performances convinced AEK Athens coach Manolo Jimenez and earned him a spot in the starting line-up forcing David Mateos on the bench who joined AEK Athens on loan from Real Madrid
.
Manolas has developed massively while playing alongside AEK Athens icon and Euro 2004 winner Traianos Dellas
and has stated to the press, "It is an honour to play alongside such a great player like Dellas, I have developed and become a better player. His experience has helped me become confident on the ball and the decisions I make in the game. I have learned a lot from him and he is basically like a teacher to me who I look up to"
On April 30, 2011, Manolas won his first trophy in his career winning the Greek Cup with AEK Athens and played a massive role on winning the trophy and played a solid game all through out the match. Manolas also cleared a shot off the line which was a crucial chance for the opponents Atromitos
who have never won a trophy in their history. Manolas was also received the MVP due to his outstanding display. After the match Manolas stated, "It is a dream for me to win a trophy with my childhood club AEK, and I hope there's many more to come in the future". Manolas finished the 2010/11 season playing 36 macthes scoring 3 goals.
, VfL Wolfsburg
and Hamburger SV
. Manolas agreed with AEK Athens on €4.M buy-out clause for foreign teams and a €10.M buy-out clause for Greek teams.
Shortly after signing a new 3-year contract with AEK Athens, Manolas stated to the press, "I am extremely happy that I am going to continue playing for the team of my heart and it is an honour to wear the AEK Jersey for the next three years with my childhood club. I applaud AEK president Stavros Adamidis who believes in me and declined great offers from European teams to keep me at the club despite the huge economical problems the club is suffering. My dream now is to become the team's captain and win the league just like my uncle Stelios Manolas, who achieved this when he joined AEK."
Manolas started of the season very positively playing his first competitive match of the 2011/12 season against Georgian
giants Dinamo Tbilisi
in a Europa League qualifier where he played extremely well playing a very solid game helping AEK Athens win 1-0. Manolas was also given the most praise from AEK Athens coach Manolo Jimenez. Manolas scored his first goal of the season in a away match against Panionios
, Manolas also scored the only goal of the match and finished in a 0-1 victory for AEK. Manolas also dedicated he's goal to his manager Manolo Jimenez who has been taking criticism in recent weeks.
called him up for the 30 man provisional World Cup squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, but he wasn't in last 23 men squad.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
football defender currently playing for AEK Athens. Kostas Manolas is a nephew of Greek football and AEK legend Stelios Manolas
Stelios Manolas
Stylianos "Stelios" Manolas is a retired Greek football defender.Arguably the best football defender ever to come out of Greece, Manolas, a product of AEK Athens FC's youth academy...
. Manolas also wears the number 4, previously worn by his uncle. He originates from Naxos
Naxos
-Places:*Naxos , an island in the Cyclades group**Naxos , a town and former municipality on the island of Naxos**Naxos , a Greek government division created from the former Cyclades Prefecture in 2011...
.
Stelios Manolas himself stated, "Kostas is my "successor" although Stelios Manolas is regarded to be the best Greek defender of all time.
2009-10 season
Kostas Manolas started his youth career at Thrasyvoulos F.C.Thrasyvoulos F.C.
Thrasyvoulos Filis is a football club, based in Fyli, Attica, currently in the Greek Second Division. It was founded in 1938 and named after Thrasybulus, an ancient General who used Fyli as his base to liberate Athens from Sparta. They gained promotion to the Greek Super League for 2008–09...
in 2005 to 2007. In 2009, Stelios Manolas, who was the AEK Technical Director
Technical director
The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...
was scouting his nephew at a youth match with AEK manager Dusan Bajevic
Dušan Bajevic
Dušan Bajević is a Bosnian football manager and former Yugoslav international.-Playing career:...
and was impressed with his performance.
On 16 June 2009, Manolas signed a three year deal with AEK Athens.
After signing for AEK, Manolas stated: I am very happy signing for the team I support, hopefully I can be a legend at the club like my uncle and end my career at AEK.
Manolas made his debut against AO Kavala and was rewarded the MVP award. After the match he stated, It's a dream to play for the club I love. Manolas was also rewarded the MVP the following week playing against PAOK. On his first 7 matches, Manolas was rewarded the MVP award 5 times.
Manolas scored his first professional goal against arch rivals Olympiacos F.C. on 19 May 2010. Although he was playing with a broken jugal since the 1st minute of the match after a dangerous nudge by Kostas Mitroglou, he scored on the 6th minute, ignoring all pains. However, he left the pitch on the 15th in a bad situation. He refused to be taken to the hospital before the match was over, despite being urged by his uncle Stelios Manolas
Stelios Manolas
Stylianos "Stelios" Manolas is a retired Greek football defender.Arguably the best football defender ever to come out of Greece, Manolas, a product of AEK Athens FC's youth academy...
. The next day, he underwent a successful three-hour surgery and has recovered and has attended to his training sessions.
2010-11 season
Manolas was a key figure for AEK Athens in the season 2010/11, playing very impressive performances in the Superleague Greece but also in the Europa League which drew interest to many European teams such as GenoaGenoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Udinese, Getafe
Getafe
Getafe is a city in the southern zone of the Madrid metropolitan area, Spain, and one of the most populated and industrialized cities in the municipality. The city is home to one of the oldest Spanish military air bases, as well as the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid...
and Schalke. Manolas scored a very important goal for AEK Athens against HNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
securing the win for AEK Athens. The following week, Manolas found the back of the net again against Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
in the Greek Cup(which later on AEK Athens went on to win the Greek cup). His impressive performances convinced AEK Athens coach Manolo Jimenez and earned him a spot in the starting line-up forcing David Mateos on the bench who joined AEK Athens on loan from Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
.
Manolas has developed massively while playing alongside AEK Athens icon and Euro 2004 winner Traianos Dellas
Traianos Dellas
Traianos Dellas is a Greek international footballer currently playing as a centre back for AEK Athens in the Greek Super League...
and has stated to the press, "It is an honour to play alongside such a great player like Dellas, I have developed and become a better player. His experience has helped me become confident on the ball and the decisions I make in the game. I have learned a lot from him and he is basically like a teacher to me who I look up to"
On April 30, 2011, Manolas won his first trophy in his career winning the Greek Cup with AEK Athens and played a massive role on winning the trophy and played a solid game all through out the match. Manolas also cleared a shot off the line which was a crucial chance for the opponents Atromitos
Atromitos
Atromitos FC is a football club based in Peristeri, Athens that plays in the Super League Greece.-History:Atromitos FC was officially founded in May 1923 when Kalomvounis, Petos, Glykofridis, Stathopoulos, Synodinos, Rigopoulos, Stamatopoulos, and other students living in Victoria Square decided...
who have never won a trophy in their history. Manolas was also received the MVP due to his outstanding display. After the match Manolas stated, "It is a dream for me to win a trophy with my childhood club AEK, and I hope there's many more to come in the future". Manolas finished the 2010/11 season playing 36 macthes scoring 3 goals.
2011-12 season
On 11/7/11 Manolas signed a new 3-year deal with AEK Athens keeping him at the club until 2014. Manolas' contract is worth €900K earning €300K per-season including bonuses that can reach up to €1.4M. Manolas renewed his contract despite interested from big European outfits Werder Bremen, SevillaSevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
, VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
and Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
. Manolas agreed with AEK Athens on €4.M buy-out clause for foreign teams and a €10.M buy-out clause for Greek teams.
Shortly after signing a new 3-year contract with AEK Athens, Manolas stated to the press, "I am extremely happy that I am going to continue playing for the team of my heart and it is an honour to wear the AEK Jersey for the next three years with my childhood club. I applaud AEK president Stavros Adamidis who believes in me and declined great offers from European teams to keep me at the club despite the huge economical problems the club is suffering. My dream now is to become the team's captain and win the league just like my uncle Stelios Manolas, who achieved this when he joined AEK."
Manolas started of the season very positively playing his first competitive match of the 2011/12 season against Georgian
Georgian
Georgian may refer to:* Something from or related to Georgia , a country in the Caucasus** Georgian alphabet** Georgian language** Georgian people** Georgian cuisine* Something from or related to the U.S...
giants Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi
FC Dinamo Tbilisi is a Georgian football team, based in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.Dinamo Tbilisi was one of the most prominent clubs in Soviet football and a major contender in the Soviet Top League almost immediately after it was established in 1936...
in a Europa League qualifier where he played extremely well playing a very solid game helping AEK Athens win 1-0. Manolas was also given the most praise from AEK Athens coach Manolo Jimenez. Manolas scored his first goal of the season in a away match against Panionios
Panionios
Panionios GSS , the Pan-Ionian Gymnastic Association of Smyrna, is a Greek multi sport club founded in 1890. Originally based in Smyrna/Izmir, the club was uprooted in the population exchange between Greece and Turkey following the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922...
, Manolas also scored the only goal of the match and finished in a 0-1 victory for AEK. Manolas also dedicated he's goal to his manager Manolo Jimenez who has been taking criticism in recent weeks.
International career
Because of his very good appearances with AEK, Greek national manager Otto RehhagelOtto Rehhagel
Otto Rehhagel is a German football coach and former football player. Along with Helmut Schön, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Udo Lattek and Hennes Weisweiler, he is considered one of the most successful German managers....
called him up for the 30 man provisional World Cup squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, but he wasn't in last 23 men squad.
Statistics
Last updated 7 July 2011| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009/10 | AEK Athens |  Greek Super League |
18 | 1 | |
| 2010/11 | AEK Athens | Greek Super League |
28 | 3 | |
| 2011/12 | AEK Athens | Greek Super League |
10 | 1 | |
| | Total | 55 | 5 | |||
Honours
AEK Athens- Greek CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 2010–112010–11 Greek CupThe 2010–11 Greek Cup is the 69th season of the Greek Football Cup. A total of 67 clubs were accepted to enter, after the withdrawal of Egaleo, Kalamata and Pyrsos Grevena and their relegation to Delta Ethniki....