Panathinaikos FC announces the start of its cooperation with Stefanos Kotsolis, who takes on the role of the club’s Sporting Director. A homegrown player of the Panathinaikos’ Academy who served the “Shamrock” for many years as a goalkeeper, Stefanos Kotsolis returns home!
He served as Sports Director of Kifisia FC for five years, during that time the club of the northern suburbs achieved its first-ever promotion to the Super League.
Kotsolis’ career as a footballer is closely linked with Panathinaikos. From a young age, he joined the Academy of Panathinaikos and under the guidance of one of Greece’s top goalkeepers, Takis Ekonomopoulos, he developed and reached the first team in January 1998, at the age of 19. In 2004, he became a double winner with Panathinaikos, even playing in the decisive last two league matches. In 2005, he completed his first spell with the club.
He returned to Panathinaikos in February 2011 and remained until the end of his playing career in summer 2017, at the age of 38, winning the 2014 Greek Cup as a key member of the team.
As it had been stated in the club’s announcement back then, “the completion of the current collaboration is merely a semicolon in the team’s relationship with him.” Stefanos Kotsolis is once again within the club of his heart, ready to contribute from a new position, with his well-known professionalism and integrity.
“I’m returning home, and this brings me great joy and honor. I’m fully aware of the enormous responsibility that comes with this role at such a great club as Panathinaikos. No words are needed — only hard work to bring the team to the place it deserves,” were Stefanos Kotsolis’ first words upon taking on his new duties.
