Emmanuel "Manny" Poulakakis

Born in Egypt in 1923, Emmanuel "Manny" Poulakakis had a prolific playing career as a goalkeeper in Egypt before arriving in Australia in 1960 to take up coaching, as one of the few coaches to hold an English FA coaching badge at the time.

Manny was a very successful coach throughout the 1960-s through to the beginnings of the former National Soccer League in 1977 with clubs such as South Melbourne, Heidelberg, George Cross, Juventus, Melbourne Hakoah, and Pan Hellenic (NSW) winning various State & National Titles along the way.

During his tenures he also coached numerous Socceroos including Jim Mackay, Peter Ollerton & Jack Reilly. During the late 1960's, Manny was also offered the Socceroos coaching position which he declined for personal reasons.

Manny was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame (Roll of Honour - Meritorious) in 2000, was named the South Melbourne FC Coach of the Century and was also inducted into the South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame at their recent 50th Anniversary Gala Ball.