Fenerbahçe’s new president, Aziz Yıldırım, faces an agenda full of challenges and urgent decisions.
At the extraordinary congress recently held at the club, Aziz Yıldırım, re-elected president after eight years out of office, lives an intense work routine. In meetings with his management team, he analyzed Fenerbahçe’s main problems and presented the action plan, which is detailed below.
1- A head coach will be appointed
Yıldırım will first define the technical commander responsible for the football team. As all Süper Lig titles since Zico’s 2007-08 era have been won by Turkish coaches, he opted for Aykut Kocaman. Volkan Demirel and Dirk Kuyt should form the committee as assistants. The idea is that the presence of these former players brings identification and extra motivation to the group.
2- MURIQI AND GUIRASSY TRANSFERS
Aziz Yıldırım, who promised the arrival of two strikers during the campaign, gives priority to signing Vedat Muriqi. After reaching an agreement with the Kosovar player, the board negotiated with Mallorca and lowered the transfer value from 18 million euros to 15.5 million euros. The 32-year-old center forward, who already has a residence ready in Istanbul, is expected to sign the contract in the coming days. Then, negotiations with Borussia Dortmund by Serhou Guirassy, with whom there is already a preliminary understanding.
3- All eyes are on Inter for Hakan
Hakan Çalhanoğlu, whose signing was mentioned by Hakan Safi at the end of the congress, remains on Aziz Yıldırım’s radar. The president believes that the midfielder’s experience, alongside names like N’Golo Kanté, Matteo Guendouzi and İsmail Yüksek, will strengthen the midfield. Talks with Inter Milan will only progress if the Italian club presents a proposal considered reasonable for the transfer value.
4- What will happen to those returning from rented accommodation?
One of Aziz Yıldırım’s biggest challenges involves players returning from loan. Eleven athletes from the squad returned to Fenerbahçe after the end of their temporary contracts. Among them are high-earning foreigners such as Cengiz Ünder, Diego Carlos, Dominik Livakovic, Sofyan Amrabat and Rodrigo Becao. The board needs to decide which of them remain on the squad.
5 – REQUEST TO TFF CONCERNING THE FOREIGN PLAYER RULE
The biggest obstacle for Fenerbahçe and the other Süper Lig clubs ahead of the new season is the limit on foreigners. With around 20 players out, including those returning from loan, the club will need at least four more signings to reach the total allowed. Aziz Yıldırım is expected to meet with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to discuss possible adjustments to the rule.