After the sudden departure of Sofronis Avgousti last month, the Cypriot national team was again in the market for a new manager. They’ve settled on Apostolos Mantzios, a 55 year old Greek manager. Mantzios is a veteran of the Greek league. First, he had a 12 year playing career as a defender, mostly for Panionios, including being the Captain of their 1998 Greek Cup winning side. After retiring as a player in 2003, he eventually became a manager for several Super League Greece clubs. Most recently, he was the manager at Aris Thessaloniki last season. Mantzios has never played or managed in Cyprus before, nor has he managed any national team. Mantzios is the first Greek manager of the Cypriot national team since Nikos Kostenoglou(2021-2022), and the fifth all-time. The others before Kostenoglou were Nikos Nioplias(2011-2013), Angelos Anastasiadis(2005-2011) and the original manager of the Cypriot national team, Argyrios Gavalas(1960-1967). He will lead Cyprus for the first time in March, as Cyprus will embark on their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup at home to San Marino. Mantzios signed a two year contract. Andrew Mantzas Twitter: @MantzasNC Post navigation SOFRONIS LEAVES NATIONAL TEAM, RETURNS TO APOLLON