“Theofanis Gekas, Yunan Golcü, Türkiye’de Futbol Direktörlüğüne Adım Atıyor”

Theofanis Gekas, a Greek player who played for Samsunspor, Akhisarspor, Konyaspor, Eskisehirspor, and Sivasspor during his football career, had won the hearts of everyone with his goals. He will continue his coaching career in Turkey. HIS TURKISH ADVENTURE STARTED WITH SAMSUNSPOR In the winter break of the 2011-2012 season, the Greek footballer signed a contract with Samsunspor and started playing in Turkey. After that, he played for Akhisarspor, Konyaspor, Eskisehirspor, and Sivasspor. Starting his professional football career in Larissa in 1998, the 36-year-old Gekas played for Kallithea, Panathinaikos, Bochum, Bayer Leverkusen, Portsmouth, Herta Berlin, and Eintracht Frankfurt before coming to Turkey in 2012 by signing with Samsunspor. He scored 8 goals in 11 matches for Samsunspor. RETURNING TO AKHISARSPOR AFTER LEVANTE Gekas later transferred to Levante but returned to Turkey in the 2012-2013 season by signing with Akhisarspor. He scored 12 goals in 15 matches for Akhisar and 13 goals in 24 matches for Atiker Konyaspor in the 2013-2014 season. He returned to Akhisarspor in the 2014-2015 season and scored 12 goals in 24 matches. In 2015, he transferred to Eskisehirspor and scored 5 goals in 10 matches. He then joined the Swiss team Sion, where he scored 10 goals in 21 matches. SUPER LIG AND BUNDESLIGA GOAL KING With goal king titles in both the Super Lig and the Bundesliga, Gekas scored 10 goals for Greece in the 2010 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers, becoming the top scorer in the group. NOTABLE SIVASSPOR STATISTIC It is worth noting that the team for which Gekas scored the most goals during his time in Turkey was Sivasspor. In 84 matches played for various Turkish teams, Gekas scored 50 goals. His most prolific club during this period was Sivasspor, where he scored 7 goals wearing different jerseys. During his career in Turkey, he scored 4 goals against Besiktas and 5 goals against Fenerbahce. Gekas also played 78 matches for the Greek national team, scoring 24 goals. DEPARTURE FROM TURKEY IN 2017, RETURN IN 2022 After retiring from active football at Sivasspor in 2017, Gekas returned to Turkey after 5 years. He took on the role of a coach at Panegialios in his homeland and then found himself back in Turkey. In July 2022, the announcement came from Akhisarspor that they had reached a preliminary agreement with the legendary Gekas for the position of Football Director. AKHISARSPOR WITH ONLY 2 VICTORIES IN 14 MATCHES Signing a 5-year contract with Akhisarspor, Gekas, who is a symbol for the club but could not complete his contract, did not have a successful tenure. In 16 matches in the Third League, Gekas only managed 2 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses, collecting 14 points before leaving the team. 1+1 YEAR AGREEMENT WITH DARICA GENÇLERBIRLIĞI After his coaching stints at Panegialios and Akhisarspor, there was a surprising signing for the Greek football figure. Darica Gençlerbirliği, after parting ways with coach Emre Denizli, entrusted the team to Gekas. The signing ceremony took place with the participation of Darica Gençlerbirliği President Onur Güneri, Vice President Faruk Anaç, and Sports Director Halim Ceyran. Theofanis Gekas signed a 1+1 year contract. PRESIDENT GÜNERI: ‘GEKAS BELIEVES IN HIMSELF A LOT’ Speaking at the signing ceremony, Darica Gençlerbirliği President Onur Güneri said, “We made a change by agreeing with Gekas. Our goal is to promote to the higher league. Gekas believes in himself a lot. He says, ‘We will definitely promote to the higher league.’ His knowledge of football is at a very high level. His vision and ours are aligned.” ‘HE IS ADVENTING TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS HERE’ Theofanis Gekas stated that he had done thorough research on Darica and emphasized the great potential of the region. He said, “We are combining with a domestic coach as required by the regulations. The 43-year-old former Greek forward will be the boss of the team at the club. FORMING A BOND WITH THE FANS Gekas, who played for many years in Germany and Spain, began his Turkish adventure with Samsunspor and saved Akhisarspor from relegation with his goals in 2013. In the 2014-2015 season, he led the team to the top of the Super Lig with his goals after returning to the green and black colors. Gekas, who composed songs on behalf of the fans, also played for Konyaspor and Eskisehirspor in Turkey before retiring from professional football at Sivasspor in 2017.