Vangelis Marinakis elected as president of Greece’s Super League

Professional football in Greece turned a distinct “new page” on Friday with the election of Vangelis Marinakis as the president of the Super League, the top-flight association football competition in the country.

Marinakis brings the same “thirst” for success and spirit that fans witnessed when he first assumed the helm of Greece’s Super League in the summer of 2010, demonstrating a vision and clear-cut plan to eliminate the deep-rooted problems bedeviling Greek professional football.

As it stands, the Super League has “turned a new page”, with Marinakis again assuming its helm – thus sending a message of unity for the overall good of football in the country.

The president of Olympiacos FC will again take the lead in a “battle” to steer professional football in Greece to the path of success, leaving behind its weaknesses for good.

The president of the popular Piraeus-based football club received votes from a majority of the Super League member clubs to achieve his election as its president; the second time he’ll serve as Super League president after the summer of 2010.

A month earlier, Marinakis detailed his position regarding developments affecting professional football in Greece, with an intervention during a Super League board of directors meeting, more-or-less pointing to his coming plans.

At the time, he clearly expressed serious reservations over the course taken by professional football, while calling on owners of pro clubs to assume their responsibilities so that professional football in Greece remains standing.

Vangelis Marinakis presented his vision for the Super League and, in turn, won the confidence of the league’s owners. His victory in the Super League election also marks a dynamic return of Olympiacos FC as a protagonist in the management of professional football in the country.

During the May 19 meeting of the League’s board of directors,  Marinakis concluded his intervention in this manner, indicative of the way all parties involved with the League should operate and think, with the guide always being what’s beneficial for professional football — itself the basis for the success of each club separately.

At the time, he said: “I may have my run-ins with AEK, PAOK, Panathinaikos, but this concerns the pitch. Here we must calmly take decisions, which will be for the good of both large and small clubs.»

A month later the Olympiacos FC owner assumes yet another difficult task, but without dread or emotion, as he’s ready to again succeed; to provide professional football in Greece with all it needs and deserves.

Marinakis again demonstrates, with deeds, as he’s always done, that he’s present and ready to fight for the good of Greek professional football and Olympiacos; that he’s by the side of his first and great love, Olympiacos FC, and not in England and Nottingham Forest of the Premier League.

The future of professional football, and by extension of Olympiacos FC, is now in the hands of the leader of the red-and-white club, who is ready for another success, one that will unite Greek football and bring only profit for all.

The results and the official announcement of the Super League emphasizes that Vangelis Marinakis was elected as the new president of the Super League with the support of nine teams: Aris Thessaloniki, Olympiacos, Asteras Tripoli, Atromitos Athens, Ionikos, Levadiakos, OFI Crete, Panetolikos and PAS Giannina. The latter clubs voted in favor of Marinakis, who in the end was the only candidate to stand for the election, as another challenger, Panouryias Papaioannou, withdrew.

Panathinaikos Athens, PAOK Thessaloniki, AEK Athens, Volos FC, Lamia and the Hellenic Football Association (EPO) cast blank votes.