Nikos Kovis

Nikos Kovis (born 6 January 1953), known as Niko Kovi in Turkey, is a Turkish-Greek football player and manager. He was a central defender. He was born in Istanbul.

Nikos Kovis was the Technical Director of the youth academies of Panathinaikos until 2010.

He was the fourth Greek origin football player who played for Turkey, after Fenerbahçe S.K. legend Lefter Küçükandonyadis, legendary İstanbulspor captain Koço Kasapoğlu and Beşiktaş J.K. Aleko Yordan.

There is another Greek player born in Turkey and played for Turkish teams. Alekos Sofianidis was Beşiktaş J.K. left back, but never played for the Turkey national team.

International career He played for Turkey on four different levels, 5 times A National, 3 times B National, 5 times Under-23, and 3 times for A-Youth.

Managerial history After he retired Kovis coached Levadiakos F.C., Panargiakos F.C., Proodeftiki F.C., PAS Giannina, EAR, Panarkadikos F.C., Athinaikos F.C. and Apollon Smyrnis F.C.

Records and honours

Kovis won Turkish Cup with Beşiktaş J.K. in 1975, scoring in the second leg against Trabzonspor.

He also won Başbakanlık Kupası (Turkish Presidential Cup) in 1974 scoring the vital goal for Beşiktaş J.K. against Bursaspor.

Kovis won Greek Cup with Panathinaikos in 1982.

Playing career

He began his career with Vefa SK in 1970. After 2 years with Vefa SK, Kovis moved to Beşiktaş J.K. in 1972 and played for 6 seasons. He then was transferred to Panathinaikos in 1978 playing for them for 5 seasons. Kovis also played for OFI for two seasons and retired in 1985.

1968–69 Vefa SK 1 games no goal 1969–70 Vefa SK 17 games no goal 1970–71 Vefa SK 21 games no goal 1971–72 Vefa SK 29 games 1 goals 1972–73 Vefa SK 29 games 1 goals 1973–74 Beşiktaş J.K. 30 games 1 goals 1974–75 Beşiktaş J.K. 30 games 2 goals 1975–76 Beşiktaş J.K. 27 games 3 goals 1976–77 Beşiktaş J.K. 23 games 2 goals 1977–78 Beşiktaş J.K. 9 games no goal 1978–79 Panathinaikos 28 games 1979–80 Panathinaikos 20 goals 1 goal 1980–81 Panathinaikos 34 games 1981–82 Panathinaikos 24 games no goal 1982–83 Panathinaikos 21 games 3 goals 1983–84 OFI 13 games no goal 1984–85 OFI 15 games 1 goal