Seven reasons why Fortounis remained in Piraeus

AGONAsport looks at seven reasons why Kostas Fortounis, who wears the number seven on his back in Piraeus, decided to remain with Olympiacos for another four years.

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On Monday, Fortounis put pen to paper on his new Olympiacos contract, extending his deal through to the summer of 2023. Following the completion of the 2018/2019 season, Fortounis had regularly been linked with possible moves to England or Turkey, but he stayed loyal to the Erythrolefki.

In light of the news, let’s take a look at seven reasons why he remained in Piraeus:

1. The magic of Pedro Martins

A big factor behind Fortounis’ success has been Pedro Martins. Before the 2018/2019 season, Fortounis had endured a few thoroughly underwhelming years as his talent was seemingly going to waste, but Martins helped him get back on track. Immediately from the start of the season, the two built up a productive working relationship, with Martins allowing Fortounis to become a true leader for Olympiacos while playing at his best. The fact that Martins has created much needed stability, cohesion and a family-like atmosphere within the team certainly played its role in Fortounis’ decision.

2. Big bucks

Fortounis’ love for Olympiacos cannot be denied, but in the world we live in, money talks and the management supposedly offered the midfielder ‘the biggest contract ever offered to a Greek player in Greece,’ according to former Communications Director, Kostas Karapapas. Reports in the media have stated that his new four-year contract is worth six million euros when taking bonuses into account. A tidy sum indeed.

3. Healthy relationship with Evangelos Marinakis

Over the years, controversial Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has made the headlines for the wrong reasons, but he continues to invest heavily in his beloved club and it’s no secret that he’s in good relations with Fortounis. Even when Fortounis has performed poorly, Marinakis has constantly stood by the 26-year-old, showing faith in him which has subsequently been repaid. The mutual trust and respect shared by their pair is clear for all to see.

4. Desire to help Olympiacos win trophies again

"My message to them is that we will be successful again, returning to where we belong.” Those were Fortounis first words after penning his new deal. Fortounis has already won several trophies in Piraeus, but with Olympiacos having now not won a thing for two consecutive seasons, he’s burning with desire to take the Erythrolefki back to the top of the Greek pile again. If he plays at the same level as in the 2018/2019 season, Olympiacos will surely end their mini trophy drought.

5. Bond with the Olympiacos faithful

The bond between Fortounis and Olympiacos fans is something special. During the previous season, the passion returned to Fortounis, as he consistently drove Olympiacos forward while strengthening his close relationship with the supporters by scoring crucial goals, notably against AEK and AC Milan. It wouldn’t have been easy to leave the atmospheric Karaiskakis Stadium and disappoint thousands of his loyal fans.

6. Remaining a leading player for Olympiacos

Without doubt, Fortounis is the best attacking player which Greece have at this moment time, but would he have become a leader for a foreign club? Over time, maybe that would have happened, however the midfielder didn’t think it was a risk worth taking. Alongside his fantastic showings in Piraeus, Fortounis has finally started to perform at a high level with the Greek national team, and that could have all changed had he transferred to a European club where he simply kept the bench warm. Fortounis remained in his comfort zone, and while there are positive and negative consequences from any decision we take, he didn’t want to take any potential risks.

7. Dedication to Olympiacos after the club welcomed him back

Initially, Trikala-born Fortounis progressed through the Olympiacos academy, before making his maiden professional steps with his hometown club and Asteras Tripolis. From 2011 to 2014, Fortounis played in Germany with 1. FC Kaiserslautern, returning to Greece with Olympiacos. Ever since his return, Olympiacos and Marinakis have done their best to allow Fortounis to flourish, and the club’s overwhelming desire to keep the player in Piraeus helped convince him to stay.

Image Source: To10.gr

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