As in every season, the Olympiacos Football Schools’ Coaching Seminar was held again this year. The theoretical part took place at “G. Karaiskakis” on Saturday, November 16, and included a tour of the stadium, while the practical part was held at the training center in Rentis on Sunday, November 17. Over 200 coaches from Olympiacos Football Schools in Greece and abroad were in attendance, gaining insights into the training and development of young footballers.
The seminar was opened by Thomas Benetett, assistant to Olympiacos Academy Director José Anigo, who spoke about the tremendous success of the Youth team in winning the UEFA Youth League last season. He referred to players such as Liatsikouras, Dama, Sina, Panagakos, Ligdas, and Toufakis, who started their football journey in the Olympiacos School Network.
Additionally, Olympiacos Academy’s Head of Scouting, Avraam Papadopoulos, welcomed the coaches and emphasized: “Keep up the correct and hard work you’ve been doing all these years. It’s especially important to us. Keep going, and Olympiacos will stand by your side”.
In the theoretical section, coaches from the red-and-white academy—including Dimitris Mavrogenidis, Makis Veniamin, Christos Rogkas, and Angelos Charisis—spoke to the School coaches present at “G. Karaiskakis.” They explained the proper training methods, team philosophy, preparation for daily routines with young players, and specialized goalkeeper training. Additionally, Academy nutritionist Irini Manthou spoke about the proper nutrition of players before matches and training sessions. Other speakers included the Academy physiotherapist Nikos Kostas, psychologist Vasilis Xernos, and Olympiacos School Network staff member Christos Solomos.
On the first day of the seminar, Paralympian Nikos Papangelis was also present at “G. Karaiskakis.” The well-known cycling athlete had previously played football at the Olympiacos school in Elaionas. Speaking to the coaches, he said:
“At a young age, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. It was a difficult moment for me because sports and football were truly my life. I want to say a big thank you, because I received huge support back then from the entire Olympiacos family—me and my siblings. At the time, my brother was in the Olympiacos Academy and had won the youth championship. That support gave me great strength; I knew I wasn’t alone. After a lot of hard work, persistence, and patience, I’ve managed to participate in two Paralympic Games—the most recent in Paris, where I came fourth—and I aim for something even greater in Los Angeles, where I’ll go for the gold medal. I want to say to everyone that sports save lives. It’s not just about producing champions. Sports are the greatest school that exists. Thank you all for being by my side”.
On the second day, at Rentis, the practical part of the seminar was held, with participation from Academy and Rentis School footballers and coaches such as Makis Veniamin, Socrates Kopsacheilis, Tasos Meidanis, Petros Kravaris, Aris Kyriazis, Thanasis Rossidis, Charalambos Sourdis, Christos Rogkas, Angelos Charisis, and fitness coaches Michalis Koukliampis and Vasilis Andrielos. The Director of the Olympiacos Football School Network, Vasilis Nanos, addressed the School coaches during the seminar.
Just before the seminar concluded, all participants posed for a commemorative photo at the Rentis training center and received their participation diplomas. Everyone agreed to meet again next year for the 14th Coaching Seminar.
Record number of School Players in the Academy
It is worth noting that through the Olympiacos Football School Network established over the years across Greece and abroad, this season alone 95 players in various Academy divisions come from the Network! This number is expected to increase even further during the season.
