Former Greece international soccer player and coach Takis Gonias has died at age 54, leaving Greek soccer in mourning.
Gonias, a gifted attacking midfielder with a long career in Greece, Spain, and Italy, later moved into coaching, working in both Greece and Egypt. Greek media reported that he had been battling cancer.
Levadiakos pays tribute to Takis Gonias
Levadiakos FC announced his death and paid tribute to the former player, who began his professional career with the club and wore its colors for five years.
The Boeotia-based club said Gonias served Greek sports with character, personality, and a passion for soccer. His death has brought deep sorrow to the Levadiakos family because of his strong connection to the team. The club closed its tribute with the words “Farewell, Takis,” and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.
A career across Greece, Spain, and Italy
Panagiotis “Takis” Gonias was born in Livadia, central Greece, on October 6, 1971. He began playing soccer at P.S. Panathinaikos in Kyriaki, Boeotia before moving to Levadiakos. He later played for several well-known Greek clubs, including Olympiacos, Iraklis, Panionios, and Paniliakos. His career also took him abroad, where he played for Sporting Gijon in Spain and for Messina and Crotone in Italy.
As a player, Gonias stood out for his technique, vision, and confidence on the ball. His strong personality and clear views on the game also made him one of Greek soccer’s most recognizable figures.
Takis Gonias’ Greece national team moment
Gonias made two appearances for the Greece national team. He made his debut on August 19, 1997, in a friendly against Cyprus and scored from the penalty spot to give Greece a 2-1 victory. Six months later, he made his second appearance for Greece, coming on as a substitute for Kostas Frantzeskos in another friendly.
After retiring as a player, Gonias worked as a television commentator, where he stood out for his direct analysis and sharp opinions. He also pursued golf and reached a professional level with the Glyfada Golf Club. Soccer, however, remained his main passion, and he later returned to the sport as a coach.
Gonias began his coaching career with Glyfada in 2013. He later coached Episkopi, Kallithea, and Ergotelis. During his time at Kallithea, his team recorded a notable 1-0 Greek Cup win over Atromitos. At Ergotelis, he drew attention for a possession-based style of play that helped define his coaching identity.
Coaching career in Egypt
Gonias later continued his coaching career in Egypt, where he worked with Wadi Degla and Pyramids FC.
He took charge of the Pyramids in 2021 and later returned for a second spell with the ambitious Egyptian club. His work in Egypt made him one of the few Greek coaches to establish a reputation outside of Europe.
Former Greek International Takis Gonias Dies at 54 After Cancer Battle 2026 IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-06-24 14:05:14 Latest news, world news, country news, most important news, latest news, most important, latest of the day, Justice, Petar Nizamov, Feathers, Petar Nizamov- Feathers, Justice bg, iustitia.bg, iustitia, iusticia, usticia, investigation, Burgas, Bulgaria, news, breaking news, news of the day, news of today, news from today, Bulgaria news, The news from Bulgaria, blitz news, top news, most important, most commented, latest news, Boyko Borisov, news, weather, coronavirus, news, news, weather, facebook, youtube, facebook, instagram, today’s news, last minute news, news today, today’s news, news, bg news, leading news, hot news, bg news, news site, all news, news bg, last hour news, latest, latest news bg, news from today, news today, last hour news, latest news, today, news bg, news, news vesti, 24 hours news, vesti bg novini, world news, bird bg, bivol bg, bivol, trud bg novini, latest news today, novinite bg news, hello bulgaria, political party coat of arms, delyan peevski, scandalous, bulgarian national television, free europe, television, scandal, exclusive, live, live tv right now, tv, tv online, tv program, bg, live now, tv news, online, live tv online, court, burgas court, burgas district court, burgas court, burgas district court, burgas district court, burgas district court, burgas court of appeal, burgas prosecutor, burgas prosecutor’s office, burgas district prosecutor’s office, burgas district prosecutor’s office, chief prosecutor, ivan geshev, prosecutor geshev, tsatsarov, mvr burgas, odmvr burgas, odp burgas, police burgas, district police burgas, prosecutor tsatsarov, sgs cases, court varna, chairman of the Supreme Court of Justice, court decisions in civil cases, decisions in cases, Plovdiv court, court decision, case decisions, Varna court, criminal, cases, district, district court decisions, work in court, Supreme Court of Justice chairman, Supreme Court judges, Sofia court, deputy judges, Plovdiv, Plovdiv court, judges Plovdiv, Supreme Court, Inspectorate of the Supreme Court of Justice, Supreme Judicial Council, Supreme Court, Supreme Judicial Council, lawyer, lawyer criminal cases, lawyer civil cases, lawyer matrimonial cases, lawyer administrative, criminal law, criminal process, civil law, civil process, administrative law, constitutional law,
