Ilias Kotsios
{{short description|Greek footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ilias Kotsios
| image =
| fullname =
| height = {{height|meters=1.84}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|4|25}}
| birth_place = Larissa, Greece
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = Defender
| youthyears1 = 1992-1995
| youthyears2 = 1995–1996
| youthclubs1 = Ikaros Neapolis
| youthclubs2 = Iraklis Larissa
| years1 = 1996–2004
| years2 = 2004–2007
| years3 = 2007–2009
| years4 = 2009–2012
| years5 = 2012–2013
| years6 = 2014–2015
| years7 = 2015–2017
| clubs1 = OFI
| clubs2 = Panathinaikos
| clubs3 = AEL
| clubs4 = PAS Giannina
| clubs5 = AEL Kalloni
| clubs6 = Levadiakos
| clubs7 = OFI
| caps1 = 112
| caps2 = 39
| caps3 = 43
| caps4 = 81
| caps5 = 32
| caps6 = 40
| caps7 = 33
| goals1 = 10
| goals2 = 2
| goals3 = 1
| goals4 = 6
| goals5 = 3
| goals6 = 5
| goals7 = 3
| pcupdate =
| ntupdate =
| managerclubs1 = OFI (technical director)
| manageryears1 = 2017
| managerclubs2 = Kentavros Vrilission
| manageryears2 = 2019
| managerclubs3 = Lamia (assistant)
| manageryears3 = 2020
| managerclubs4 = AEL (technical director)
| manageryears4 = 2021
| managerclubs5 = Karaiskakis (assistant)
| manageryears5 = 2022
}}
Ilias Kotsios (Greek: Ηλίας Κώτσιος; born 25 April 1977) is a former Greek footballer who played as defender. He has also played for Levadiakos, Panathinaikos, AEL, PAS Giannina and AEL Kalloni.
Career
Kotsios started his career from the youth department of Ikaros Neapolis, a clb based in Larissa. After two years he moved to Iraklis Larissa and he was recommended to OFI Crete by his Ikaros Neapolis coach Ilias Selionis,{{cite web|publisher=patris.gr |title=Selionis passed away, aged 65|date=13 February 2024 |url=https://patris.gr/2024/02/13/epi-pantos-athlitikoy-1618/|accessdate= |language=greek}} also an ex-player of the Cretan club. He first worked with renowned Dutch coach Eugene Gerrard and stayed with OFI for 8 seasons before signing for Panathinaikos.
Kotsios stayed with Panathinaikos for 3 years and in 2007 he returned to his hometown club Larissa playing in the UEFA Cup. In 2015 he signed for OFI Crete again to finish his career in 2017.
On 2 November 2005 Pnathinaikos were defeated by Barcelona with 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League in Lionel Messi.{{cite web|publisher=patris.gr |title=Kotsios and Messi swapped jerseys in 2005|url=http://www.campion.gr/2023/01/kotsios-messi.html|accessdate= |language=greek}} After the end of the game Kotsios swapped jerseys with the 18-year old then Lionel Messi who scored his first ever goal in Europe.
Honours
=Panathinaikos=
References
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120924213924/http://guardian.touch-line.com/StatsCentre.asp?Lang=0&CTID=31&CPID=76&pStr=Player&PLID=180442&TEID=7522 Guardian Football]
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.onsports.gr/onstats/?url=/soccer/player/main.php&sport-select=soccer&player-select=518 Onsports Profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kotsios, Ilias}}
Category:Footballers from Larissa
Category:Panathinaikos F.C. players
Category:OFI Crete F.C. players
Category:Greek men's footballers
Category:Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. players
Category:PAS Giannina F.C. players
Category:Men's association football defenders
{{Greece-footy-defender-stub}}