Michael Valkanis

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Michael Valkanis

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Mihalis Valkanis{{cite web |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008 Presented By TOYOTA — List Of Players |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/95/12/84/fcwc2008_2008_squadlists_1205.pdf |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=5 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209121359/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/95/12/84/fcwc2008_2008_squadlists_1205.pdf |archive-date=9 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|8|23|df=y}}

| birth_place = Melbourne, Australia

| height = 1.81 m

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Centre back

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = South Melbourne

| years1 = 1993–1996

| years2 = 1996

| years3 = 1996–2001

| years4 = 2001–2002

| years5 = 2002–2003

| years6 = 2003–2009

| years7 = 2004

| clubs1 = South Melbourne

| clubs2 = Iraklis

| clubs3 = AEL

| clubs4 = Agios Nikolaos

| clubs5 = Adelaide City

| clubs6 = Adelaide United

| clubs7 = → Adelaide Olympic (loan)

| caps1 = 50

| caps2 = 6

| caps3 = 102

| caps4 = 4

| caps5 = 29

| caps6 = 77

| caps7 = 11

| goals1 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| goals3 = 3

| goals4 = 0

| goals5 = 3

| goals6 = 4

| goals7 = 0

| totalcaps = 279

| totalgoals = 10

| nationalyears1 = 1994–1995

| nationalyears2 = 2006

| nationalteam1 = Australia U23

| nationalteam2 = Australia

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalcaps2 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| pcupdate = 23 December 2008

| ntupdate = 16 March 2008

| manageryears1 = 2010–2011

| managerclubs1 = Adelaide United Youth (assistant)

| manageryears2 = 2011–2013

| managerclubs2 = Adelaide United Youth

| manageryears3 = 2013

| managerclubs3 = Adelaide United (caretaker)

| manageryears4 = 2013

| managerclubs4 = Enfield City

| manageryears5 = 2013–2016

| managerclubs5 = Adelaide United (assistant)

| manageryears6 = 2016–2017

| managerclubs6 = Melbourne City (assistant)

| manageryears7 = 2017

| managerclubs7 = Melbourne City

| manageryears8 = 2018

| managerclubs8 = PEC Zwolle (assistant)

| manageryears9 = 2019–2021

| managerclubs9 = Greece (assistant)

| manageryears10 = 2022

| managerclubs10 = Eupen (assistant)

| manageryears11 = 2022

| managerclubs11 = Eupen

| manageryears12 = 2023

| managerclubs12 = Hapoel Tel Aviv

| manageryears13 = 2023–2024

| managerclubs13 = Ajax (assistant)

| managerclubs14 = Adana Demirspor

| manageryears14 = 2024

}}

Mihalis "Michael" Valkanis (Greek: Μιχάλης "Μάικλ" Βαλκάνης; born 23 August 1974) is an Australian association football coach and former player who was most recently the head coach of Turkish club Adana Demirspor.

Club career

= South Melbourne Hellas =

Valkanis began his career at South Melbourne at age six and rose through the ranks as a talented junior at South Melbourne to the senior team.{{Cite web |last=Kokotis |first=Peter |date=2023-11-08 |title=From Greek Australian roots to European giants - Valkanis' journey in football philosophy and leadership |url=https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/11/08/features/from-greek-australian-roots-to-european-giants-valkanis-journey-in-football-philosophy-and-leadership/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=NEOS KOSMOS |language=en}}

At South Melbourne, Valkanis made 50 league appearances for his boyhood club. His performances in defence for the club earned him a regular position for the Australia under 23 side and attracting the attention of overseas clubs.

Valkanis would later state in an interview with Four Four Two that pulling on the South Melbourne kit for his debut was the proudest moment of his footballing career.

= Iraklis =

Valkanis then played in the Greek League with Iraklis and most notably with AEL where he played for five seasons and won 102 caps, and Agios Nikolaos. He played 110 games in the now-defunct National Soccer League, scoring four goals with South Melbourne, Adelaide City and Adelaide United.

In mid-2007, Valkanis was named captain of his club side, Adelaide United, replacing Angelo Costanzo (who had been appointed as interim captain after the resignation and departure of Ross Aloisi).[http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aufc_news_item&id=18440 Valkanis named United captain] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720120915/http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aufc_news_item&id=18440 |date=20 July 2011 }}

Valkanis announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2008-09 A-League season in December 2008.[http://sportal.com.au/Football-news-display/valkanis-to-retire-62530 Valkanis to retire] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225042806/http://sportal.com.au/Football-news-display/valkanis-to-retire-62530 |date=25 December 2008 }} The former captain and 100 game veteran was given a testimonial match against Newcastle Jets on 9 January 2009 where he replaced Daniel Mullen in the second half and saw Adelaide through to a 2–0 win.{{cite news

|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=25997

|title=Reds go top with win over Jets

|publisher=A-League

|date=2009-01-09

|access-date=2009-01-09

|last=Wilson

|first=Marcus

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305024254/http://a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=25997

|archive-date=5 March 2011

}}

International career

Valkanis' international debut, and only game for Australia, was for the Socceroos in an Asian Cup qualifier versus Kuwait at Sydney Football Stadium on 16 August 2006. At the time of his debut he was the second oldest debutant for Australia, behind Tommy Stankovic who debuted as a 33 year old in a friendly game against FC Torpedo Moscow. Danny Vukovic's debut later pushed Valkanis down to 3rd place on the oldest debutant list.

Managerial career

After the resignation of Adelaide United manager John Kosmina on 28 January 2013, Valkanis was appointed caretaker manager of Adelaide United for the remainder of the A-League season. Under Valkanis, Adelaide United managed to finish the A-League season in fourth place, therefore qualifying for the A-League finals. However, they were eliminated in the first round by Brisbane Roar.

In May 2016, Valkanis left Adelaide United.{{cite web|url=http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/article/valkanis-says-goodbye-to-reds/kyds5bb9j57g1ejixw0w5rxbx|title=Valkanis says goodbye to Reds|work=Adelaide United |publisher=Adelaide United|date=4 May 2016}}

In June 2016, Valkanis joined Melbourne City as the senior assistant coach to John van 't Schip.{{cite web|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/article/melbourne-city-announce-a-league-coaching-shake-up/1s6v7ub16l74v1x0jnfy9fvcxj|title=Melbourne City announce coaching shake-up|publisher=Melbourne City|date=14 June 2016}}

On 3 January 2017, after the resignation of Melbourne City manager John van't Schip, Valkanis was appointed manager of the club for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|title=John van't Schip resigns as Melbourne City coach|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/01/03/john-vant-schip-resigns-melbourne-city-coach|website=The World Game|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|access-date=3 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/michael-valkanis-appointed-melbourne-city-fc-head-coach/19nw972wzjihh1rr02gcp5u616|title=Michael Valkanis Appointed Melbourne City FC Head Coach|work=Melbourne City FC|date=25 January 2017}}

On May 9, 2018, Dutch Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle announced Valkanis had been appointed assistant to manager John van't Schip on a one-year deal with a one-year option.{{Cite web|url=http://www.peczwolle.nl/nl/nieuwsarchief/michael-valkanis-maakt-team-van-t-schip-compleet2018-05-08|title=Michael Valkanis maakt Team Van 't Schip compleet - Nieuwsarchief - PEC Zwolle|website=www.peczwolle.nl|language=nl|access-date=2018-05-09}}

On November 1, 2023, Ajax announced Valkanis had been appointed assistant to manager John van't Schip on a one-year deal with a one-year option.{{Cite web|url=https://telegraaf.nl/sport/1574913800/john-van-t-schip-wil-michael-valkanis-mee-bij-ajax|title=John van 't Schip wil Michael Valkanis mee bij Ajax|website=De Telegraaf|date=29 October 2023 |language=nl|access-date=2023-11-01}}

On July 8, 2024, Adana Demirspor announced Valkanis had been appointed as manager on a one-year deal with a one-year option.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/valkanis-in-turkije-weer-op-eigen-benen-na-vertrek-bij-ajax|title=Valkanis in Turkije weer op eigen benen na vertrek bij Ajax

|website=Voetbal International|language=nl|access-date=8 July 2024}} He was able to get 1 point in the first 6 weeks of the season with the narrow squad. On September 23, 2024, the club announced that they parted ways with Valkanis.{{Cite web |last=SPORTS |first=beIN |date=2024-09-23 |title=Trendyol Süper Lig de resmi ayrılık |url=https://beinsports.com.tr/haber/trendyol-super-lig-ekibi-teknik-direktoru-ile-yollarini-ayirdi-2 |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=beinsports.com.tr |language=tr-TR}}

Personal life

Valkanis is of Greek descent. He attended De La Salle College, Malvern. His family has hails from Giannitsa.[https://www.kathimerini.gr/athletics/football/562719334/apo-ton-polemo-kai-ti-chapoel-voithos-toy-fant-sip-ston-agiax/ Από τον πόλεμο και την Χάποελ βοηθός του Φαν' τ Σιπ Kathimerini.hr]

Career statistics

(Correct as of 16 January 2009)

rowspan="2" \|Club !rowspan="2" width="80" \|Season !colspan="2" width="105"\|League¹ !colspan="2" width="105"\|Cup !colspan="2" width="105"\|International² !colspan="2" width="105"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals
rowspan="4" valign="center"\|Adelaide United \|2005–06 \|24	3	3	2	0	0	27	5
2006–07 \|23	0	6	0	0	0	29	0
2007–08 \|3	0	2	0	6	0	11	0
2008–09 \|3	0	2	0	2	0	7	0
colspan="2"\|Total !					!74	5

¹ – includes A-League final series statistics

² – includes FIFA Club World Cup statistics; AFC Champions League statistics are included in season commencing after group stages (i.e. 2008 ACL in 2008–09 A-League season etc.)

Managerial statistics

{{updated|23 September 2024}}{{cite web|title=Michael Valkanis|url=http://www.aleaguestats.com/ALeagueStats_41_38CoachingHistory.html|access-date=16 April 2017}}{{cite web|title=USV Hercules - Ajax|url=https://www.sofascore.com/football/match/usv-hercules-ajax/djbskefc#id:11807966|access-date=23 July 2024}}{{cite web|title=Michael Valkanis|url=https://www.sofascore.com/manager/michael-valkanis/787869|access-date=26 August 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="5"\|Record
G	W	D	L	Win %
align=left\|Adelaide United (caretaker) \|{{flagicon\|Australia}} \|align=left\|28 January 2013 \|align=left\|7 April 2013 {{WDL\|10\|2\|3\|5}}
align=left\|Melbourne City \|{{flagicon\|Australia}} \|align=left\|3 January 2017 \|align=left\|30 June 2017 {{WDL\|15\|6\|1\|8}}
align=left\|Eupen \|{{flagicon\|Belgium}} \|align=left\|16 February 2022 \|align=left\|30 June 2022 {{WDL\|8\|1\|2\|5}}
align=left\|Hapoel Tel Aviv \|{{flagicon\|Israel}} \|align=left\|1 July 2023 \|align=left\|29 October 2023 {{WDL\|5\|2\|2\|1}}
align=left\|AFC Ajax (caretaker) \|{{flagicon\|Netherlands}} \|align=left\|22 December 2023 \|align=left\|22 December 2023 {{WDL\|2\|0\|1\|1}}
align=left\|Adana Demirspor \|{{flagicon\|Turkey}} \|align=left\|9 July 2024 \|align=left\|23 September 2024 {{WDL\|6\|0\|1\|5}}
colspan="4"\|Total {{WDLtot\|45\|11\|9\|25}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|Nat

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="5"|Record

Win %

align=left|Adelaide United (caretaker)

|{{flagicon|Australia}}

|align=left|28 January 2013

|align=left|7 April 2013

align=left|Melbourne City

|{{flagicon|Australia}}

|align=left|3 January 2017

|align=left|30 June 2017

align=left|Eupen

|{{flagicon|Belgium}}

|align=left|16 February 2022

|align=left|30 June 2022

align=left|Hapoel Tel Aviv

|{{flagicon|Israel}}

|align=left|1 July 2023

|align=left|29 October 2023

align=left|AFC Ajax (caretaker)

|{{flagicon|Netherlands}}

|align=left|22 December 2023

align=left|Adana Demirspor

|{{flagicon|Turkey}}

|align=left|9 July 2024

|align=left|23 September 2024

colspan="4"|Total

Honours

= With South Melbourne Hellas =

National Soccer League Premiership: 1992–93
National Soccer League Cup: 1995–96
Dockerty Cup: 1993, 1995

With Adelaide United:

{{flagicon|Australia}} A-League Premiership: 2005–2006

Personal honours:

Adelaide United Player's Player of the Year: 2005–2006

References

External links

[http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/V/VA.html Oz Football profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927075615/http://www.pintculture.com/default.asp?action=article&ID=966 Pint Culture profile]
[http://www.abc.net.au/adelaide/stories/s1494260.htm ABC Adelaide article]

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