FORMER Wanderers star Stelios Giannakopoulos has been appointed as the assistant manager of the Greece national team.

The former midfielder, who won 77 caps for his country and helped them to victory in the 2004 European Championships, will work alongside Angelos Anastasiadis as Greece look to qualify for the 2020 tournament.

His appointment will be officially confirmed at a meeting later this month – and the 44-year-old has already been pictured scouting alongside Anastasiadis at a game between AEK and Atromitos on Thursday night.

Stelios proved a popular player during five years in Bolton and still has a home near the old Euxton training ground. He made 177 appearances in all competitions and scoring 28 goals.

He also had a short spell with Hull City before finishing his playing career in Greece and working with the PFA. In 2012 he moved into management with Paniliakos and later AE Kifisias.

Stelios also returned to Bolton at the start of the season to watch the game against West Brom at The Hawthorns, travelling on fans’ coaches and sitting in the away end.

His job with the national team will be a tough one, as their route to the Euros will include games against Italy, Liechtenstein, Armenia, Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.