Giannis Kyrastas (Greek: Γιάννης Κυράστας; 25 October 1952 – 1 April 2004) was a Greek footballer and football manager.

Giannis Kyrastas
Personal information
Full name Ioannis Kyrastas
Date of birth (1952-10-25)25 October 1952
Place of birth Piraeus, Greece
Date of death 1 April 2004(2004-04-01) (aged 51)
Place of death Athens, Greece
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
–1972 Olympiacos
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1981 Olympiacos 223 (4)
1981–1986 Panathinaikos 145 (1)
Total 368 (5)
International career
1974–1985 Greece 46 (0)
Managerial career
1987–1988 Ethnikos Ellinoroson
1988–1989 A.E. Messolonghi
1989 Proodeftiki
1990–1991 Ethnikos Piraeus
1991–1993 Proodeftiki
1993–1994 Panionios
1994–1995 Panargiakos
1995–1996 Ethnikos Piraeus
1996 Paniliakos
1997 Panionios
1997–1999 Paniliakos
1999–2000 Panathinaikos
2000–2001 Iraklis
2001–2002 Panathinaikos
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Born in Piraeus, Kyrastas started his football career in Olympiacos, where he played his first game on 10 December 1972 against Kavala. With Olympiacos he played 223 games, 16 of them in European competitions, and won five Greek Championships and three Greek Cups.[1]

In 1981, he went, together with Mike Galakos, to archrival Panathinaikos, where he played in 145 games, 14 of them in European competitions, and won two Greek Championships and three Greek Cups. He retired in 1986 after playing his last game against Aris in November.

Kyrastas made 46 appearances for the Greece national team, from 15 November 1974 to 19 May 1985.[2] He also played in the 1980 UEFA European Championship.

Coaching career

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After retiring, he became a coach. Starting in the 1987–88 season and until 2001 he successfully coached many teams, including Ethnikos Piraeus, Paniliakos (twice), Panionios FC, Iraklis and finally Panathinaikos. After his second time as coach of Panathinaikos, he retired from coaching.

Death

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Kyrastas was admitted on 5 March 2004 to hospital with septicaemia, after being infected with the rare Fournier gangrene. His condition was said to be improving, but on, 30 March he went into a decline from which he was not to recover. He died on 1 April 2004 at the age of 51.[1]

The football players and staff of Panathinaikos, devoted the Double of 2004 in his memory.

References

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  1. ^ a b Kolokotsios, Lambros (17 May 2009). Αθλητικοί Φάκελοι (Κυράστας) [Sporting Capsules (Kyrastas)] (in Greek). Evrytania News. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011.
  2. ^ Mamrud, Roberto (29 February 2012). "Greece - Record International Players". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
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