idi
15/04/2005, 15:28
A OK for AEK
Friday, 15 April 2005
Demis Nikolaidis went from EURO 2004™ to the AEK boardroom
When he took over as chairman of AEK Athens FC in July, former player Themistoklis 'Demis' Nikolaidis's principles were clear. "Football is a means of giving joy to the fans, no matter whether you're playing or staying on the sidelines," he told uefa.com.
Little joy
With little in the way of silverware and a lot in the way of debt, there has not been much joy at AEK in recent years. Indeed, most thought at the start of the season that merely staving off bankruptcy would mark a huge achievement for the 31-year-old chairman.
Incredible position
However, with a little help from the courts, AEK have managed to overcome losing half their playing squad in the summer, and with a 2-0 win against PAOK FC last weekend are now within a point of Alpha Ethniki leaders Panathinaikos FC having lost just one league game all season.
'Biggest challenge'
At the start of the season, Nikolaidis knew that the club's financial situation had to be dealt with. "That was the biggest challenge of all," he said. However, the Greek courts came to AEK's rescue. A decision in November reduced the club's debts from ?162.8m to a manageable ?23m as judges allowed them to write off most of their losses with creditors waiving their right to full repayment.
Coaching coup
With AEK's finances seemingly in freefall at the start of the season, Nikolaidis re-hired Fernando Santos, the coach who had won the club their most recent trophy - the 2001/02 Greek Cup. "I agreed to take over because I trust Demis Nikolaidis's plans for the club and because I trust him as a man," he told uefa.com. "We have a strong friendship from when he played for me in my previous spell at AEK."
Spinal column
And while UEFA EURO 2004™ winners like Theodoros Zagorakis, Mihalis Kapsis, Vassilios Tsiartas and Vassilios Lakis had all left the club in the summer, the Portuguese coach took no time in rebuilding the side around a spine of talented goalkeeper Dionyssios Hiotis, experienced defender Nikolaos Kostenoglou, midfield player Konstantinos Katsouranis and forward Nikolaos Lyberopoulos.
Faith from Katsouranis
Santos also brought in Bruno Alves and Paulo Assunção from FC Porto and filled the remaining gaps with journeymen and eager youngsters. It has proved a potent combination, much to the delight of Katsouranis who bucked the trend among the club's senior players by not leaving in the summer. "I trusted the new administration and I knew that the situation would change for the better," he told uefa.com. "It turns out that I was proved right."
Improbable achievement
Certainly Santos proved to be a master at instilling belief in his side, but the results of his work have amazed him too. With a crowd averaging 26,350 at the newly renovated Olympic Stadium, AEK have been the best supported side in Greece this season, and are in the running for a league and cup double. "If you had asked at the start of the season, I would have said that it would be impossible for us to be in this position in April," he said. "That shows what teamwork, persistence and the players' willpower can achieve."
Strength in adversity
With Nikolaidis ensuring that wages are paid on time, domestic trophies and a place in next season's UEFA Champions League are now well within AEK's reach. "Maybe our success has been unexpected, but there is no harm in giving the league and cup our best shot," Bruno Alves told uefa.com. Finding strength in adversity could yet once more prove to be the hallmark of champions.
ΔΕ ΠΑΜΕ ΓΙΑ ΠΡΩΤΑΘΛΗΜΑ ΛΕΜΕ!!! :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :smokin:
12656
Friday, 15 April 2005
Demis Nikolaidis went from EURO 2004™ to the AEK boardroom
When he took over as chairman of AEK Athens FC in July, former player Themistoklis 'Demis' Nikolaidis's principles were clear. "Football is a means of giving joy to the fans, no matter whether you're playing or staying on the sidelines," he told uefa.com.
Little joy
With little in the way of silverware and a lot in the way of debt, there has not been much joy at AEK in recent years. Indeed, most thought at the start of the season that merely staving off bankruptcy would mark a huge achievement for the 31-year-old chairman.
Incredible position
However, with a little help from the courts, AEK have managed to overcome losing half their playing squad in the summer, and with a 2-0 win against PAOK FC last weekend are now within a point of Alpha Ethniki leaders Panathinaikos FC having lost just one league game all season.
'Biggest challenge'
At the start of the season, Nikolaidis knew that the club's financial situation had to be dealt with. "That was the biggest challenge of all," he said. However, the Greek courts came to AEK's rescue. A decision in November reduced the club's debts from ?162.8m to a manageable ?23m as judges allowed them to write off most of their losses with creditors waiving their right to full repayment.
Coaching coup
With AEK's finances seemingly in freefall at the start of the season, Nikolaidis re-hired Fernando Santos, the coach who had won the club their most recent trophy - the 2001/02 Greek Cup. "I agreed to take over because I trust Demis Nikolaidis's plans for the club and because I trust him as a man," he told uefa.com. "We have a strong friendship from when he played for me in my previous spell at AEK."
Spinal column
And while UEFA EURO 2004™ winners like Theodoros Zagorakis, Mihalis Kapsis, Vassilios Tsiartas and Vassilios Lakis had all left the club in the summer, the Portuguese coach took no time in rebuilding the side around a spine of talented goalkeeper Dionyssios Hiotis, experienced defender Nikolaos Kostenoglou, midfield player Konstantinos Katsouranis and forward Nikolaos Lyberopoulos.
Faith from Katsouranis
Santos also brought in Bruno Alves and Paulo Assunção from FC Porto and filled the remaining gaps with journeymen and eager youngsters. It has proved a potent combination, much to the delight of Katsouranis who bucked the trend among the club's senior players by not leaving in the summer. "I trusted the new administration and I knew that the situation would change for the better," he told uefa.com. "It turns out that I was proved right."
Improbable achievement
Certainly Santos proved to be a master at instilling belief in his side, but the results of his work have amazed him too. With a crowd averaging 26,350 at the newly renovated Olympic Stadium, AEK have been the best supported side in Greece this season, and are in the running for a league and cup double. "If you had asked at the start of the season, I would have said that it would be impossible for us to be in this position in April," he said. "That shows what teamwork, persistence and the players' willpower can achieve."
Strength in adversity
With Nikolaidis ensuring that wages are paid on time, domestic trophies and a place in next season's UEFA Champions League are now well within AEK's reach. "Maybe our success has been unexpected, but there is no harm in giving the league and cup our best shot," Bruno Alves told uefa.com. Finding strength in adversity could yet once more prove to be the hallmark of champions.
ΔΕ ΠΑΜΕ ΓΙΑ ΠΡΩΤΑΘΛΗΜΑ ΛΕΜΕ!!! :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :smokin:
12656