{{Short description|Australian soccer manager}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Alex Epakis | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|3|14}} | currentclub = | manageryears1 = | managerclubs1 = Sydney FC Youth (Assistant coach) | manageryears2 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs2 = Canberra United (Assistant coach) | manageryears3 = 2018–2020 | managerclubs3 = Sydney University | manageryears4 = 2020–2024 | managerclubs4 = Perth Glory (Women) | pcupdate = 11 August 2007 | youthclubs1 = Sydney University | youthclubs2 = University of NSW | manageryears5 = 2025– | managerclubs5 = Australia U-20 Women }}
'''Alexander Epakis''' ({{langx|el|Αλεξάντερ Επάκης}}, {{IPA|el|eˈpakis|pron}}) is an Australian soccer manager who currently is currently the head coach of the Australia under-20 women's national team.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=Football Australia Announces New Head Coaches for U-20 and U-17 Women's National Team as Part of 'Team of Coaches' Initiative {{!}} Football Australia |url=https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/football-australia-announces-new-head-coaches-u-20-and-u-17-womens-national-team-part-team |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.footballaustralia.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life==
Epakis started playing football at the age of thirteen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greekherald.com.au/community/1-people-community/interviews/perth-glory-fc-coach-alex-epakis-on-mentoring-the-next-generation-of-female-footballers/|title=Alex Epakis on mentoring the next generation of female footballers|date=16 September 2022 |publisher=greekherald.com.au}}</ref>
==Playing career==
Epakis played soccer in the National Premier Leagues NSW.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beyond90.com.au/getting-to-know-glorys-new-coach/|title=Getting to know Alex Epakis|date=30 November 2020 |publisher=beyond90.com.au}}</ref>
==Managerial career==
Epakis has been the youngest Australian manager to obtain a FFA A Licence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/epakis-im-proof-ffa-curriculum-works-513263|title=EPAKIS: I'M PROOF FFA CURRICULUM WORKS|publisher=ftbl.com.au}}</ref> He also holds a Masters of Coaching degree.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://keepup.com.au/news/hes-ambitious-impatient-inside-the-rise-of-alex-epakis/|title=Alex Epakis - Keep Up article}}</ref> Epakis started his managerial career with Australian second-tier side Sydney University, helping them win the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/meet-the-nplw-coach-looking-to-bring-glory-to-the-west/8ha4el3h0|title=Alex Epakis - SBS article}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37623277/perth-glory-coach-alex-epakis-likes-sees-young-league-women-squad|title=Alex Epakis likes what he sees in young A-League Women squad|work=espn.com|date=10 December 2021 }}</ref> Previously, he worked as a youth manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://impetusfootball.org/2021/04/23/alex-epakis-tough-baptism-but-big-plans-for-the-future/|title=Alex Epakis: Tough Baptism But Big Plans For The Future|date=23 April 2021 |publisher=impetusfootball.org}}</ref> After that, he was appointed manager of Australian top flight side Perth Glory's women's team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-glory/perth-glory-coach-alex-epakis-confident-of-success-with-new-look-squad-after-big-recruiting-campaign-c-4774049|title=Alex Epakis confident of success with new-look squad after big recruiting campaign|date=December 2021 |publisher=thewest.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-glory/perth-glory-womens-coach-alex-epakis-wasting-no-time-getting-down-to-business-and-plotting-for-next-year-c-5988259|title=Alex Epakis wasting no time, getting down to business and plotting for next year|date=9 March 2022 |publisher=thewest.com.au}}</ref>
Epakis joined the coaching staff for the Philippines women's national football team during their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, serving as a scout and analyst working under Alen Stajcic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pisani |first=Sacha |date=2023-07-26 |title=Aussie 'all-time high' powering World Cup miracle: 'Why not football?' |url=https://keepup.com.au/news/womens-world-cup-philippines-a-league-stajcic-fifa-wwc-matildas/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=KEEPUP |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The commitment behind the historic National Women's Football Team |url=https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/741876-commitment-behind-historic-national-women-ootball-team? |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Philstar Life}}</ref>
In August 2023, the Perth Glory confirmed that Epakis' contract would be extended a further two seasons until 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Gareth |date=2023-08-22 |title=ALW Head Coach Epakis re-signs for a further two seasons |url=https://perthglory.com.au/news/alw-head-coach-epakis-re-signs-for-a-further-two-seasons |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Perth Glory}}</ref>
In June 2024, the club announced Epakis' departure for personal reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-06-24 |title=ALW Head Coach Epakis departs club for personal reasons |url=https://perthglory.com.au/news/alw-head-coach-epakis-departs-club-for-personal-reasons/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Perth Glory |language=en-AU}}</ref>
Epakis was announced as the head coach of the Young Matildas on 10 March 2025, alongside his role as Technical Adviser for Football NSW Girl’s Youth Development.<ref name=":0" />
==Personal life==
Epakis is of Greek descent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://neoskosmos.com/en/2018/12/04/sport/football/alex-epakis-making-his-mark-as-a-rising-coach-in-australian-football/|title=Alex Epakis, making his mark as a rising coach in Australian football|date=3 December 2018 |publisher=neokosmos.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Epakis, Alex}} Category:A-League Women managers Category:Australian women's soccer managers Category:Australian people of Greek descent Category:Australian soccer managers Category:Australian men's soccer players Category:Living people Category:1991 births Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen
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