# Michalis Trochanas

Michalis Trochanas (Greek: Μιχάλης Τροχανάς; 25 June 1936 – 5 March 2020) was a Greek businessman and the major shareholder of AEK Athens F.C. from 1995 to 1997. During his tenure, AEK won 2 Greek Cups and a Greek Super Cup. In 1997 he sold the shares of the club to ENIC Hellas.

## Early life

Trochanas created SOE as a "model" group that raised money from tens of thousands of people to build villages in Crete and Attica. The investment would be based on the money of the small shareholders who would give their savings and at the same time they would make sure that others would sign up with a pyramid scheme.

## AEK Athens

In the summer of 1995, Trochanas acquired the majority share package of AEK Athens from Dimitris Melissanidis and Ioannis Karras by paying approximately 1.5 billion drachmas.
The active presence of Michalis Trochanas in the events of AEK was combined with the conquest of two consecutive Greek Cups, a Super Cup, as well as with their course to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. His tenure was intense, as he was a very different type agent. In the summer of 1996 the manager of club, Dušan Bajević left the club after 7 years and joined arch rivals Olympiacos. The fans even though they developed a hate reliationship with Bajević, they put the blame on Trochanas due to his bad relations with the Bosnian coach, as he used to interfere in the later's work. All three resulted in his disengagement from the management of the club. At the same time, however, he was the one who signed Demis Nikolaidis from Apollon Athens in 1996, despite the interest of Olympiacos. His will was such, that the then 23 year-old ace of the "Light Brigade" to fight for the team of his heart, that he left no room for improvement. The statement of Trochanas to the fans of AEK was also unforgettable. "The footballer Demis Nikolaidis from next season will not have the double-headed eagle only in his heart", with the once strong man of AEK confirming a few hours later. Of course, on the other hand, during his tenure there were also significant departures Vasilios Tsiartas and Refik Šabanadžović moved to Sevilla and Olympiacos respectively in the summer of 1996, with Temur Ketsbaia and Vasilios Borbokis leaving for England a year later. Trochanas' feud with the ultras continued, with the Greek businessman being forced to initiate the sale of club. He then assigned the presidency to the lawyer, Alexis Kougias. A move that infuriated the ultras even more, who expressed their indignation and their demand for Trochanas' departure in the first training session of the season. In October, he eventually transferred his shares to Enic, for 2.4 billion drachmas, leaving the club.
Trochanas never renounced publicity and had many interventions and groundbreaking proposals. His interest for the course AEK remained unchanged. A course that led the club to financial and competitive disaster, which the former major shareholder of the club tried to prevent. On 29 January 2012, he met with some of the most prominent people of AEK. The "Themelio 21" project, despite its recommendation, did not proceed.

## Aris

In 1997 Trochanas was involved with the management of Aris, participating in their administrative effort to recover it, through a vision of a "popular base" association. So at that time, the idea of a popular base club was "born", with the renowned "20,000-drachma fee". Money that the ordinary fan would give in the prospect of strengthening the club and acquiring shares of a corresponding value over time. Thousands of people contributed, seeing that the vision was popular and the team was in need for financial support to avoid relegation to the second division. The money that were collected proved to be more than useful and gave the necessary boost to the team, which was fighting for promotion. Trochanas did not become the owner, he did not stay long in the club, but he left a legacy, which was never forgotten.

## Death

Trochanas suffered from health problems and died on 5 March 2020 at the age of 83 in his house at Rafina. His funeral took place 4 days later. He was buried with the flag of AEK Athens, as was one of his last wishes.