Stylianos (or Stelios) Giannakopoulos 12 July 1974), known mononymously as Stelios due to his long surname, is a Greek football manager and former player. Giannakopoulos started his career in 1992 in Greece competing for the National Star. Then Panileiakos took him where he started to unfold his talent in the 3 years he played in the Ilia team. And then in the summer of 1996 Olympiakos acquired him (190 games-64 goals) where he flourished. With the red and whites he won 7 consecutive championships (always a starter) and 1 cup, while in the 1998-1999 season he reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. After a ten-year career in Greece, in 2003 Bolton Wanderers took him where he played for 5 years (137 matches - 20 goals).

He then played for Hull City (September 22, 2008) for 6 months and in January 2009 he signed a 1.5 year contract with Larissa, where he hung up his boots a year later.

His debut with the Greek national team took place on March 12, 1997, in an away friendly match against Cyprus (4-0), held in Paralimni.

One of his most important and notable appearances for Greece was in the 1-0 away win against Spain, for the Euro 2004 qualifiers, a result that essentially secured Greece's participation in the final stage of the tournament in Portugal. There, he was one of the key contributors to the team's impressive run, which culminated in winning the trophy.

When he hung up his boots, he became president of the Professional Footballers' Association, but in 2012 he left as he took over the technical leadership of the team that promoted him. In February 2016, he took over Kifissia, a position from which he left nine months later, in October of the same year. He now lives with his family in Bolton but teaches coaching at the CMPSports college in Helioupolis...

Stelios was met by the editor-in-chief of Discoveryfootball.com, Manos Staramopoulos at the Hyatt Hotel at the three-day ECA General Assembly and they talked about many and various interesting topics:



DF: Stelios, How do you foresee the battle in the Premier League developing this year?

R/: "Manchester City's injury problems may now cost them the title. The loss of Rodri (he will miss the rest of the season) is too great. This footballer is the backbone of the team. Then year after year Arsenal is progressing and with Engard's return they will be very strong. Of course, there's always Liverpool, who with the Dutchman, Arne Slott, are doing great.."

DF: How much will the case of violation of the 115 financial matters affect the Manchester City team?

R/: "In the competitive part, the vibrations do not reach the team because Pep has a way of turning them off, and this is an important issue. Always for the competitive part."

DF: However, various information even speaks of her being demoted if she is found guilty...

R/: "Anything can happen now. Let's remember Juventus and Milan who were relegated. Certainly, if something like this happens, it will be a decision that will hurt the Premier and will be a milestone in its history. Patience is needed, however, and we'll see what will be decided."

DF: On Monday, October 28, at the Châtelet theater in Paris, we will have the selection of the world's best soccer player for 2024. Who do you predict will win the Ballon d'Or?

R/: "I think Rodri stood out after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid and the European Championship with the Spanish national team. He has always performed consistently and works for the whole team.

DF: How do you see the new UEFA format?.

R/: "There are different opinions, there are more games, but also more revenue. Each game now counts differently and the team must collect as many points as possible. Of course, Real Madrid, Bayern will again be among the favorites, while Manchester City is a question mark..."

DF: The success of Olympiakos is amazing. In May, we saw Olympiakos becoming the first Greek team to win a European trophy and more specifically the UEFA Conference League...

R/: "A European trophy gives prestige to every team and at the same time greater expectations. Without dreams you go nowhere. Both President Vangelis Marinakis and Karembeu always spoke of a distinction in Europe, and some laughed ironically. But in the end they were vindicated. Thus, Olympiacos became the first team of the country to win a European trophy.."

DF: In the new competitive season, which changed the system, how do you see the course of the 3 Greek teams?.

R/: "They have potential  a move forward but also viceversa. They all have hopes of advancing, which will be good for Greek football as well..”