Famed Head Coach of Greek National, US National, and US Olympic Soccer Teams Has Passed Away

Famed International Soccer Coach Alketas (Alkis) Panagoulias passed away on June 18^th of complications from a stroke. A beloved husband, father and grandfather, he died surrounded by his loving family in his home in Vienna, Virginia.

Born in Greece, Alkis was an international soccer player with Aris F.C. Thessaloniki, Greece. In 1962, he arrived in the US to further his education and became the head coach of the Greek American Atlas (former “Greek Americans”) of New York, which he led to three consecutive US Open titles in 1967, ’68 and ’69.  He returned to Athens, Greece in 1972 as the assistant coach of the Greek National Team and became head coach the year after. He coached the Greek team from 1973–1981, including the first appearance of Greece in the EURO Cup in 1980. He coached the famous Olympiacos C.F.P. from 1981–1983, earning the championship title in 1982 and 1983.

Alkis returned to the United States to become the Head Coach of the United States Men's National Soccer Team, Team America, based in Washington, DC, RFK Stadium, from 1983 - 1985. He served as Head coach of the United States Olympic Soccer Team in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

He subsequently returned to Athens, Greece to coach Olympiacos C.F.P., earning the championship title in 1987. He also coached Aris FC from 1987- 1990. He returned as Head Coach of the Greek National Soccer team in 1992 and led the team to its first appearance in a FIFA World Cup in 1994. He coached Iraklis FC in 1997 and coached Aris Thessaloniki F.C. from 1998- 1999.

Following his retirement from coaching, Panagoulias served as president of Aris Thessaloniki F.C. in 2002. During the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, he served as venue manager for the soccer events held in Athens. He was elected member of the city council of Thessaloniki, and was a candidate for the Greek Parliament 1991. He was a FIFA instructor, a National Faculty member of the US Academy of Sports and a member of the USSF Coaches Council. His biography was published in Greece in November 2007. He was a member of the USA Soccer Federation Hall of Fame. His biography “From the White Tower to the White House” was published in Greece in 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Vanna, his daughter Despina, son John and two grandchildren – Mikaela and Zoe.

There will be a memorial service at the Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA on Thursday, June 21 from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 22nd at 11 a.m. at Saint Katherine's Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041

Burial will follow at  Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington,

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alketas Panagoulias fund at Saint Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church.