Bledar Kola


Bledar Kola is an Albanian retired football player and later manager.

Early life

Kola comes from Mirditë, but grew up in the city of Lezhë. He was an exemplary student. He started his career at Besëlidhja Lezhë, and then moved to Partizani Tirana. Later he moved to Greece where his playing career took off.

Playing career

Club

Kola spent most of his career playing for various clubs in the Super League Greece, including Panathinaikos, Apollon Smyrnis, Panargiakos and AEK Athens. In January 2003, Kola was sacked by Kallithea F.C.|Kallithea] after failing a doping test.

International

He made his debut for football team|Albania] in a December 1990 UEFA [Euro 1992 qualifying|European Championship qualification] match away against Spain and earned a total of 39 caps, scoring 6 goals. His final international was a March 2001 FIFA [World Cup qualification] against England in Tirana.

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition

Managerial career

Kola took temporary charge at AEK Athens in August 2010 and was named full-time manager of Apollon Smyrnis in July 2012. He also coached Panargiakos and from 2014 was the assistant of Marinos Ouzounidis at Panionios, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens, respectively, until 2019.

Honours

;AEK Athens