Konstantinos Iosifidis

Kostas Iosifidis
Personal information
Full name Konstantinos Iosifidis
Date of birth (1952-01-14) 14 January 1952
Place of birth Vyroneia, Serres, Greece
Position Left back
Youth career
1968–1971 Elpida Toumba
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1985 PAOK 397 (5)
International career
1974–1982 Greece 51 (2)
Managerial career
1994–1996 Apollon Kalamarias
1997 Naoussa
1997–1998 Kavala (A' Division)
1998 Apollon Pontus
1998–1999 Ialysos
1999 Kilkisiakos
2000 ΑΕ Ampelokipi
2000–2001 Kavala
2001–2002 Kalamata
2002 Apollon Pontus
2002–2003 Panserraikos
2004 Kavala
2005–2021 PAOK U19 (General Manager)
2021–2024 PAOK B (General Manager)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Konstantinos Iosifidis (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Ιωσηφίδης; born 14 January 1952) is a former Greek international footballer who played as a left back and spent his entire career from 1971 to 1985 at PAOK.[1]

Career

Playing career

Club career

Iosifidis took his first steps in football at Anagennisi Neou Petritsiou in the prefecture of Serres. In 1967, at the age of 15, he came to Thessaloniki, found a job in an electrical goods store and shortly after joined the Elpida Toumbas team. Kleanthis Vikelidis recognized his talent and invited him for a trial with the Greek National Amateur Team. He was soon called up to the Greek Youth National Team as well, which attracted the interest of PAOK. Two PAOK administrative members at the time, Sofoklis Martinidis and Vasilis Sergiannidis, had a significant contribution to the fulfilling of his transfer in June 1971 for twenty thousand drachmas. Iosifidis spent his entire football career at the Double-headed eagle of the North and wore the No 4 white-black jersey for 14 years, retiring in 1985. He is PAOK 2nd all-time appearance maker with 494 games in total (397 in the league), behind only the legendary Giorgos Koudas. He was the first player in the club's history who won 4 domestic titles with the White-blacks of the North, being a member of the squad that won the 1972 and 1974 Cups and the 1976 and 1985 Greek league titles, captaining the team in the latter.[2][3][4] His achievement was surpassed by Vieirinha in 2024, who won 5 trophies with PAOK (2 Championships, 3 Cups) and became the all-time most decorated player of the club.

International career

Iosifidis made his international debut on 28 April 1974, in the historic away friendly match against the then world champions Brazil, which ended 0–0 and was held at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.[5] He had 51 caps and scored 2 goals for the Greece national team, between 1974 and 1982,[6] and participated in the UEFA Euro 1980.

Style of play

Iosifidis was a complete full-back, being able to contribute at both ends of the pitch. He could defend well, limiting down the opposition's wingers and also support the attack, as he had a high work rate, great stamina and excellent crossing ability.[7]

Managerial career

After retiring, he managed several teams in Greece, such as Polykastro, Anagennisi Karditsa, PAONE, Anagennisi Kolindrou (Division C), Apollon Kalamarias, Naoussa, Ialysos Rodou, Kalamata (Division B) and Kavala (Division A).

Since 2005, he is the general manager of PAOK.[8]

Career statistics

Club career

Appearances and goals by season and competition
Club Season Greek League Greek Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
PAOK 1971–72 32 0 5 0 0 0 37 0
1972–73 25 0 5 0 2 0 32 0
1973–74 29 0 5 0 6 0 40 0
1974–75 33 0 4 0 2 0 39 0
1975–76 29 0 3 0 2 0 34 0
1976–77 33 2 4 0 4 0 41 2
1977–78 33 1 6 1 4 0 43 2
1978–79 31 0 2 0 2 0 35 0
1979–80 33 0 7 1 0 0 40 1
1980–81 31 0 9 0 0 0 40 0
1981–82 33 2 7 0 2 0 42 2
1982–83 21 0 3 0 4 0 28 0
1983–84 17 0 6 0 0 0 23 0
1984–85 17 0 3 1 0 0 20 1
Career total 397 5 69 3 28 0 494 8

International career

Apps and goals with Greece
Year Apps Goals
1974 6 0
1975 3 1
1976 1 0
1977 8 0
1978 8 0
1979 4 0
1980 9 0
1981 8 1
1982 4 0
Total 51 2
List of international goals scored by Kostas Iosifidis
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 June 1975 Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki  Malta 3–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 1976 qualifying
2 15 April 1981 Makario Stadium, Nicosia  Cyprus 1–0 1–0 Friendly

Honours

PAOK

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ Mastrogiannopoulos, Alexander (19 June 2003). "Greece 1984/85". RSSSF.
  2. ^ "The four-title man". paokfc.gr. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  3. ^ "The "man of the titles" speaks to PAOK TV". paokfc.gr. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  4. ^ "ΠΑΟΚ, Κώστας Ιωσηφίδης: «Ένα ματς να παίξουμε, τι καλά που θα ήταν»" [Kostas Iosifidis: "A match to play, that would be great"]. sportday.gr. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  5. ^ Brazil - Greece 0–0. epo.gr
  6. ^ Mamrud, Roberto (29 October 2009). "Greece – Record International Players". RSSSF.
  7. ^ "Iosifidis the whirlwind". paokmania.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 17 April 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  8. ^ ""Η καριέρα μου θα σταματήσει στον ΠΑΟΚ" (1985)" ["My career will end at PAOK]. paokmania.gr. 25 June 2023.