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EXCLUSIVE: Konstantopoulos talks promotion ahead of Boro's clash with Coventry

Konstantopoulos with Middlesbrough in 2015
Konstantopoulos with Middlesbrough in 2015CHRIS BRUNSKILL / Getty Images via AFP
Former Middlesbrough and Coventry goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, who also represented Greece at an international level, spoke exclusively to Flashscore ahead of the Championship's final matchday of 2024/25.

Konstantopoulos spent last season with Ayr United in Scotland and was most recently a goalkeeping coach for Cypriot top-flight club AEL Limassol.

In Cyprus, he worked alongside Chris Coleman - who managed the Greek during their time together at Coventry between 2008 and 2010.

Konstantopoulos, who has ambitions of becoming a manager himself, represented a plethora of clubs throughout his playing career, including Middlesbrough, Coventry and Nottingham Forest - with these three featured in the bulk of his chat with Flashscore's Ste Carson.

Take a read of the full interview below:

You were Middlesborough's number one the last time they were promoted. Can you talk about what you remember of that season and the emotions you felt when the fans invaded the pitch in celebration?

Dimi: "These are the moments that you play football for, and that's what stays in your memory. The whole season was a lot of pressure because we were one of the favourites to go up. We had a good squad and the expectations were high, but we had good characters and strong personalities in the team... and good players!

"It came up to the last game of the season against Brighton. Obviously, the pressure was enormous because, you know, what was a stake. At the time, there were some nerves before the game - but as soon as you get out on the pitch, I think, you get a boost from your own fans.

"The Riverside (Stadium) was packed and the atmosphere was great. In the end, it was just a massive feeling of relief, excitement and joy all blending together; the joy, happiness and pride - it meant so much for the town as well. It was a great achievement, for all of us."

It's a long season, especially after losing the play-off final to Norwich the year before. Do you think defeat at Wembley made that promotion feel even better?

"It made it feel a bit more like we had to get promoted because of the expectations, as I said. The following year after Wembley, we got more reinforced with good players. So, yeah, it was a little bit more stressful for us to see it through.

"But it could've gone either way. We've seen clubs before that went to the play-off final and lost, and the next year they're struggling to stay in the league.

"The Championship is a very relentless league. It's one of the hardest in the world because there are so many teams that at the start of the season are looking to get promoted. There are many outsiders that you don't expect."

Have you seen much of Middlesbrough this season? It's looking close - do you think they could get promoted?

"Yes, I've been to a few games, I've been watching many games. I live just outside of Middlesbrough, so I'm always in the area. Basically, I watch whenever I can.

"Promotion? It is close. It's tough because it's not up to Middlesbrough anymore, it's not in their hands. It's going to take luck; results need to go their way. But, again, if they go and focus on doing their job - the last game of the season - then, you know, they can say they did their best.

"The worst feeling would be if the other matches go their way and they end up not getting the result in their one, because you know you could have done a bit more."

Click here to check out the Championship's final matchday permutations.

Who would be your favourite to win the play-offs?

"I think, from what we've seen form-wise, strength-wise and depth-wise through the season, Sheffield United have got the armoury to do it. They play good football and they know how to get results.

"But, then again, it's the play-offs. It's always a lottery! Many times we'll see the teams that finished in sixth or fifth get promoted, because if you're fighting for automatic promotion for the whole season it's a bit of a disappointment not to get it - and that carries on in the play-offs sometimes and you end up not performing."

Middlesbrough play Coventry this weekend, obviously a game that'll mean quite a bit to yourself, how do you think it's going to go?

"It's a special game, it's poised really nicely for the neutral fans because there's so much at stake.

"Coventry are going to have their fans, they're going to have a full stadium, but it might go either way - I think they'll play for two results (a win or draw), which sometimes works in a negative way; if you're trying to play for the draw, you end up not playing attacking football and it comes to bite you.

"Both teams haven't finished the season strongly results-wise, so I think it's going to be up to whoever is more up for it on the day. These games are usually like that, sort of like finals, you know? It could be the better or worse team, but whoever shows more desire and less nervousness on the day are the ones who usually come out on top."

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StandingsFlashscore

Middlesbrough and Coventry - which of the two clubs do you think would do better in the Premier League next season?

"The Premier League is all about recruitment, organisation and planning, it doesn't necessarily have to do with the size of the club or great financial support. 

"I don't know which one can do the best planning for the Premier League, but I think both are big clubs. Both have a great fan-base and they can both stabilise in the Premier League if they do it the right way.

"Obviously, my affiliation is more with Middlesbrough but Coventry is also a fantastic club."

Konstantopoulos at the Riverside in March 2025
Konstantopoulos at the Riverside in March 2025Greig Cowie / Shutterstock / Profimedia

Speaking of big clubs, you joined Nottingham Forest on loan - but unfortunately got injured - what do you remember of that time and were you able to feel the size of the club? Indeed, they're one of the biggest clubs in England and are European royalty.

"Yes, 100%, Nottingham Forest is a huge club. You can see that from the fans they attract - I know a lot of people in Greece who are Nottingham Forest fans!

"I could see it then, even though they were in League One at the time, trying to get promoted... the stadium was full, the support was tremendous.

"Even back then, it was a matter of time before Forest were going to end up back in the Premier League with good planning and good backing. As you know, they're doing fantastic in the Premier League and they even have a chance for European football next season."

Sticking with European royalty, you played for Greece in the Euro 2012 qualifiers! What was that experience like? Feelings of pride, representing your country...

"It's brilliant! I think it's one of the best feelings that you can have as a footballer. Yes, promotions and winning things with your club are fantastic but I think representing your country is a different sort of feeling.

"It's more about pride, making your family and the people who supported you growing up proud."

Konstantopoulos with Greece in 2011
Konstantopoulos with Greece in 2011ČTK / imago sportfotodienst

"I was involved with the friendlies and obviously a few qualifiers as well, and I enjoyed every minute. It was something that I wanted to experience as a footballer, though it came a bit late in my career as I was over 30.

"But, still, you know, anytime you get a national cap, it's doesn't matter how old you are. It's a privilege."

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