Safe travels Giannis Ioannidis
The ‘red & white’ family mourns a huge loss. Giannis Ioannidis, the man who reshaped the basketball department of Olympiacos, is no longer with us. The great coach, who was loved by our team fans like only a few others, and has left his indelible mark on Greek basketball, died today (04/10) at the age of 78.
Ο «Ξανθός», όπως τον αποκαλούσαν, γεννήθηκε στην Θεσσαλονίκη στις 26 Φεβρουαρίου 1945 και η μεγάλη του αδυναμία (μετά την κόρη του), ήταν η πορτοκαλί μπάλα. Ξεκίνησε ως παίκτης στον Άρη, όμως, πολύ γρήγορα αντιλήφθηκε πως η προπονητική του ταίριαζε καλύτερα. Ξεκίνησε την επαγγελματική του καριέρα το 1978 από τον Άρη, με τον οποίο στην δεκαετία του ’80 μεγαλούργησε! Με την ομάδα της Θεσσαλονίκης κατέκτησε δώδεκα πρωταθλήματα Ελλάδος (1979, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990), πέντε Κύπελλα Ελλάδος (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990) και την οδήγησε σε τρία σερί φάιναλ φορ της Ευρωλίγκας (1988, 1989, 1990).
The ‘Blond’, as he was usually called, was born in Thessaloniki on February 26, 1945 and his greatest love (after his daughter), was the basketball. He began his playing career with Aris, but he quickly realized that coaching was his calling. He began his professional career in 1978 with Aris, with who he had immense success during the ‘80s. He won 8 Greek Championship titles with the Thessaloniki team (1979, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990), 5 Greek Cup titels (1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990) and led tit to three back to back Euroleague final fours (1988, 1989, 1990).
In 1991 he accepted the offer from Olympiacos, moved to Piraeus and began building the ‘red & whites’ dominance. He won 4 Greek Championship titles with our team (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) and 1 Greek Cup title (1994), while also leading it to two final fours (1994, 1995).
He did not get to celebrate a title with AEK during the 2 years he sat in its bench (1996-1998), however, his team made the Euroleague final four. He had also served as a coach for Larissa (immediately following his tenure with Aris) and of the National team. Following his second tour with Olympiacos (1999-2000), he retired from coaching and got involved with politics.
Since the 2004 elections up until January of 2015 he was an elected member of the Parliament representing Thessaloniki with the ‘New Democracy’ party. Following the 2007 elections, he was assigned the position of Deputy Secretary of Culture, responsible for Sporting matters, a position he served up until October 7, 2009. Following his re-election in 2009, he headed the department of Political Responsibility for Sports for his party. In the coalition government that was formed following the elections of June 17, 2012, he was once again assigned the position of Deputy Secretary of Sports, which he served until June 2013.
“May the time you leave Piraeus never comes, we will always love you Giannis Ioannidis…” was what the Olympiacos’ fans were singing for him at the games. From now on coach, we are going to love you to eternity.
Safe travels…