You spent the season watching your teammates earning the MVP of the month awards, yet you were the one to clinch PAOK’s MVP of the season accolade…

It’s a big honour to be voted MVP by our fans. We all play for them. They are our best and severest critic and without them our sport would be entirely different. I am very happy to have won the award and I would like to thank all those who voted for me. I only wish that this award had capped a good season however…

Did you expect to win this vote?

To be honest, no. There are many players who could have won it and I wasn’t expecting to be the people’s pick. Especially as our job in midfield often goes unnoticed.

In your opinion, what made PAOK fans pick you as MVP?

I don’t know. I give my best for the team in each game. Sometimes it’s not enough, but I put on a huge effort, because I want to help PAOK achieve their goals and at the same time improve as a player. Perhaps fans acknowledged this effort. That is very important to me after a very tough last season, during which I made an error out of ignorance and paid for it. PAOK however gave me a second opportunity, I am grateful for it and I will repay them.

You said that you try to improve. During this past season, we saw you add new elements to your game. You claim the ball more, participate more in the attacking plays, provide assists, score and become a proficient in set pieces. What has changed?

As I mentioned before, I want to improve. I don’t want to remain stagnate. I want to try new things, help my team on all levels. As years go by, experience kicks in and one knows how to move on the pitch. I am still young, I have lots to learn, much to improve and I don’t intent to stop trying.

Do you believe that this composite role in midfield suits you best?

I feel good. I like taking the initiative and helping in the creation of plays without neglecting my defensive duties. Every player wants to participate in the game and have the ball at his feet. However the most important thing is what the coach wants. I am here for PAOK, no matter my role, holding, creating, play on the flanks or not play at all. The team is and should be above all.

That is what Stefanos Athanasiadis said after the match against Asteras Tripolis when discussing this bad season…

It’s the reality. PAOK should be above individuals. Klaus has been in the team for many years, he is our skipper and stated his opinion. I am not at liberty to do the same thing. I want us to learn from our mistakes, never repeat them again, look ahead and restore PAOK’s place up where they belong.

A new start with a new coach, Igor Tudor. What do you expect out of the new season?

I am looking forward to it. We didn’t enjoy that much rest, but we are responsible for it and we have the motive to turn things around. We will go through the summer adventure of the UEFA Europa League qualifiers in order to qualify to the group stage and prepare to be competitive in the league, from start to finish. Just half a season is not enough –it became evident this year. Mr. Tudor is famous, had a stellar career as footballer, won titles and established himself in the tough Serie A. It’s good that he is young, has fresh ideas and the fact that he has been chosen to lead PAOK to the future means that he is a very capable coach.