Nikos Machlas
Encyclopedia
Nikolaos Machlas (born 16 June 1973) is a Greek
retired footballer
and now chairman of OFI Crete
. He finished his career as a striker for Cypriot
team APOEL.
, where he made his debut in February 1991 against Panionios. He stayed at the club for six seasons before moving to Dutch
side Vitesse Arnhem
in 1996
.
Machlas scored a disappointing 8 goals in 29 games in his first season in the Eredivisie
, but in his second season he scored 34 goals in just 32 games, a feat which earned him the European Golden Boot
for the 1997-1998 season
. After having scored 60 goals in 92 matches for Vitesse, Machas joined Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam
in June 1999 for a then-club record $7.6 million.
Despite netting 38 goals in 74 Eredivisie
league games spread over three seasons, Machlas' goalscoring record was not deemed prolific enough for the demanding Ajax fans and coaching staff. The team went through a transition as poor results meant Machlas had to endure three different coaches in as many years.
His place as striker became threatened by coach Ronald Koeman
's preference for the younger strikers Zlatan Ibrahimović
and Mido. His 12 goals in the 2001-2002 season
were nevertheless important in the run toward the first league title for Ajax in four years. Ajax also won the KNVB Beker that season, meaning they achieved the "double"
. At the start of the 2002-2003 season
, Koeman made it clear to Machlas that there was no future for him anymore in the first team of Ajax and was thus relegated to training and playing matches with the youth team.
After a brief (and frustrating) period in the Ajax youth team, he joined Spanish
side Sevilla
on loan for the rest of the season. Machlas' time in Spain proved equally unhappy, though. He scored just 2 goals in 14 appearances and was arrested for behaving aggressively to a police officer having been fined for speeding. Upon returning to Ajax, his contract was terminated in July 2003. He then signed for Greek side Iraklis, scoring 10 goals in 26 appearances, before returning to his first club, OFI Crete
. Upon the termination of his contract and after conflict with the club's chairman, he moved to APOEL F.C., in Cyprus
with a two years contract. On his first year at APOEL he helped his team to win the Championship.
On 17 May 2008 Machlas announced his retirement after the end of the Cypriot Cup final. APOEL beat 2-0 Anorthosis
and clinched the title.
In 2009 he returned to his first club OFI in Crete to take up the role of Sporting Director as they bid to return to the Greek Superleague.
and scored 18 goals. He also scored the very crucial goal against Russia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Nl2rwd8QU that led Greece
to FIFA World Cup - USA 94 at only 20 years of age. He started each of Greece's group games in the USA though they lost all three, to Argentina
, Nigeria
and Bulgaria
and failed to score a goal. He played his last game for Greece against Sweden
in February 2002.
APOEL
Individual
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
retired footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and now chairman of OFI Crete
OFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
. He finished his career as a striker for Cypriot
Greek Cypriots
Greek Cypriots are the ethnic Greek population of Cyprus, forming the island's largest ethnolinguistic community at 77% of the population. Greek Cypriots are mostly members of the Church of Cyprus, an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church within the wider communion of Orthodox Christianity...
team APOEL.
Club career
He began his career with OFI CreteOFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
, where he made his debut in February 1991 against Panionios. He stayed at the club for six seasons before moving to Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
side Vitesse Arnhem
Vitesse Arnhem
Stichting Betaald Voetbal Vitesse is a Dutch football club from Arnhem, which was founded on 14 May 1892. Vitesse has had considerable success in the Eredivisie, and featured in the UEFA Cup competition, but has never been considered a close competitor of the top three clubs of Netherlands...
in 1996
1996-97 in Dutch football
The 1996/1997 season in Dutch football was the 41st professional season in the Eredivisie, with PSV Eindhoven winning the title and Roda JC claiming the Dutch National Cup.-Johan Cruijff-schaal:-Eredivisie:*Champions League : PSV Eindhoven...
.
Machlas scored a disappointing 8 goals in 29 games in his first season in the Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
, but in his second season he scored 34 goals in just 32 games, a feat which earned him the European Golden Boot
European Golden Boot
The European Golden Shoe, formerly known as the European Golden Boot, is an association football award presented each season to the leading goalscorer in league matches from the top division of every European national league...
for the 1997-1998 season
1997-98 in Dutch football
The 1997/1998 season in Dutch football was the 42nd season in the Eredivisie, where Ajax Amsterdam won the double, claiming the title and the Dutch National Cup.-Johan Cruijff-schaal:-Eredivisie:*Champions League : Ajax and PSV...
. After having scored 60 goals in 92 matches for Vitesse, Machas joined Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam
Ajax Amsterdam
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax , also referred to as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam or simply Ajax , is a professional football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands...
in June 1999 for a then-club record $7.6 million.
Despite netting 38 goals in 74 Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
league games spread over three seasons, Machlas' goalscoring record was not deemed prolific enough for the demanding Ajax fans and coaching staff. The team went through a transition as poor results meant Machlas had to endure three different coaches in as many years.
His place as striker became threatened by coach Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is a former Dutch footballer, and the current manager of Feyenoord. He is the younger brother of former Feyenoord coach Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman...
's preference for the younger strikers Zlatan Ibrahimović
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a Swedish footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Milan and the Swedish national team for which he is captain....
and Mido. His 12 goals in the 2001-2002 season
2001-02 in Dutch football
The 2001/2002 season in Dutch football was the 46th season in the Eredivisie, where Ajax Amsterdam claimed the double .-Johan Cruijff-schaal:-Eredivisie:*Champions League : Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven...
were nevertheless important in the run toward the first league title for Ajax in four years. Ajax also won the KNVB Beker that season, meaning they achieved the "double"
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
. At the start of the 2002-2003 season
2002-03 in Dutch football
The 2002/2003 season in Dutch football was the 47th season in the Eredivisie, where PSV Eindhoven claimed the title while FC Utrecht won the Dutch National Cup by defeating Feyenoord Rotterdam in the final.-Johan Cruijff-schaal:-Eredivisie:...
, Koeman made it clear to Machlas that there was no future for him anymore in the first team of Ajax and was thus relegated to training and playing matches with the youth team.
After a brief (and frustrating) period in the Ajax youth team, he joined Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
side Sevilla
Sevilla 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...
on loan for the rest of the season. Machlas' time in Spain proved equally unhappy, though. He scored just 2 goals in 14 appearances and was arrested for behaving aggressively to a police officer having been fined for speeding. Upon returning to Ajax, his contract was terminated in July 2003. He then signed for Greek side Iraklis, scoring 10 goals in 26 appearances, before returning to his first club, OFI Crete
OFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
. Upon the termination of his contract and after conflict with the club's chairman, he moved to APOEL F.C., in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
with a two years contract. On his first year at APOEL he helped his team to win the Championship.
On 17 May 2008 Machlas announced his retirement after the end of the Cypriot Cup final. APOEL beat 2-0 Anorthosis
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
and clinched the title.
In 2009 he returned to his first club OFI in Crete to take up the role of Sporting Director as they bid to return to the Greek Superleague.
International career
Machlas won 61 caps for GreeceGreece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
and scored 18 goals. He also scored the very crucial goal against Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Nl2rwd8QU that led Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
to FIFA World Cup - USA 94 at only 20 years of age. He started each of Greece's group games in the USA though they lost all three, to Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
and Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
and failed to score a goal. He played his last game for Greece against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in February 2002.
Honours
Ajax- EredivisieEredivisieThe Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
: 2002 - KNVB CupKNVB CupThe KNVB Cup is a competition in the Netherlands organized by the Royal Dutch Football Association since 1899. It was based on the format of the English FA Cup. Outside of the Netherlands, it is often referred to as the Dutch Cup...
: 1999, 2002
APOEL
APOEL FC
APOEL F.C. is a professional football club based in Lefkosia , Cyprus and they are one of the founding members of the Cyprus Football Association. APOEL is one of the most popular football teams in Cyprus and they are the most successful with an overall tally of 21 championships, 19 cups and 12...
- Cypriot First DivisionCypriot First DivisionThe Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
: 2007Cypriot First Division 2006-07- Final standings :Updated as of May 16, 2007Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points... - Cypriot Cup: 2008Cypriot Cup 2007-08The Cypriot Cup 2007–08 was the 66th edition of The Cypriot Football Cup, or Cypriot Cup for short. 16 clubs' entries were accepted for the competition.The competition culminated with the Cup Final, held at GSP Stadium, Nicosia on 17 May 2008...
Individual
- European Golden BootEuropean Golden BootThe European Golden Shoe, formerly known as the European Golden Boot, is an association football award presented each season to the leading goalscorer in league matches from the top division of every European national league...
1998 (Vitesse)