Evangelos “Laki” Sbonias, Head Coach of the 1. FC Köln under-21s, has left his post ahead of the coming season and will now join the first-team coaching staff. The 43-year-old will become Assistant Coach and is part of René Wagner’s staff.
“Laki has done a fantastic job in the past few years with the under-21s, stabilised the team in the Regionalliga West and continued their development. He and his coaching staff have played a big part in helping several of our talented youngster make the leap from the academy to the first-team. His step up into the first-team coaching staff shows how closely our academy and first-team work together, also in a staff sense. We are very pleased that Laki is now strengthening René Wagner’s coaching staff and can help us to reach our goals,” said Lukas Berg, Technical Director.
Sbonias war born on 25th September 1982 in Bietigheim. After his playing career, he moved into coaching. Apart from a short spell as SV Werder Bremen II Assistant Coach, he has been in Baden-Württemberg. He was Head Coach of SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the 2022-23 season, and made the move to FC and the under-21s after a second place finish.
“I am very thankful for the trust and I am proud that I could convince those responsible with my work in the academy,” said Evangelos Sbonias. “I am really happy to be at René’s side and can’t wait to get started into pre-season with the entire coaching staff and team.”
Under Sbonias’ watchful eye, the under-21s were in comfortably in mid-table over the last three seasons in the Regionalliga West. He helped players like Damion Downs to make their way into the first-team. In the past season, Fynn Schenten, Youssoupha Niang and Cenny Neumann made their Bundesliga debuts. The under-21s finished 10th last season with 45 points. After exactly 100 games as Head Coach, Sbonias will now take the next step.
“In his position as under-21 Head Coach, Laki has already worked very closely with us. I’ve gotten to know him as a great guy and a very competent coach, who will help our staff and the work with the team. He has already shown that he can work successfully with young players, which is why he’s the right man for us. I am really looking forward to the next season with him,” said FC Head Coach, René Wagner.
The under-21s will start in pre-season with current Assistant Coaches, Marcel Ivanusa and Tim Strenger on an interim basis.
