Ali Koç announces 'Mourinho will star in commercials'

Providing information about the election campaign, Koç said, “When our community is one and whole, there is no force that can stop us. They tested this and got their answers.

We have had an intense campaign period. We went to many cities. High participation was achieved. We shared what we have done, what we want to do, and what we could not do in various environments. This year's campaign was different.

Due to both my late entry into the race and the fact that our teams' competitions were still ongoing, our campaign was limited. I would like to state that if we are elected, we will also go to the places we could not visit,” he said.

"WE KNEW, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THIS MUCH"

Stating that they have gained experience and learned lessons throughout his 6-year presidency, Koç noted, “During these 6 years, just as my colleagues on the board and I have achieved successes that are critical for the future of Fenerbahçe, there are some areas where we could not reach the places we wanted.

Throughout the process, many of our congress members conveyed their complaints to us regarding coach selection and squad planning when the time came. You can be sure that we have gained all the experience to ensure these do not happen again. You must have seen the signs of this in the last 2 years.

We did not do anything wrong knowingly or willingly. No one can question our intentions,” he recorded.

Stating that the club's financial situation was poor when he was first elected president, President Ali Koç said, “You all know the point at which we took over the club. Our receivables were pledged; when we arrived, we had to pay 17 million Euros. Our squad value was below the squad value of our rivals. We had a debt burden of 612 million Euros. When we took office in 2018, our then-president said, in his own words, ‘Fenerbahçe has gone bankrupt.’

According to the report published by UEFA, we were the club with the worst financial situation in Europe. We had more debt than clubs with hundreds of millions of Euros in revenue. We knew, but we didn't know it was this much. Those who brought our club to this state were people who could not grasp the gravity of the situation,” he said.

“WE CAN SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL"

Providing information about the processes experienced in revenue situations during his presidency, Koç said, “Our 6-year broadcast revenue loss is 100 million dollars. Did we fix the exchange rate? The federation did that. We have a loss of 80 million dollars during the pandemic. Interest rates are skyrocketing. And as if everything was going great, the government increased taxes to 40 percent in the middle of the pandemic. We had to manage this as well.

This year, 50 percent of our revenue is going to banks. We have 1, maybe 2 months of salary debt. We will close these as soon as possible. Despite all these negative factors, we turned the ship in the right direction by creating resources. We threw off our financial shackles.

We have a long way to go, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Today, it is easier to be a candidate for Fenerbahçe. I wish we had become candidates 1 year later. By losing, they were saved from the 'emperor has no clothes' situation,” he said.

“WE DEFEATED EVERYONE BUT WE COULD NOT DEFEAT THE SYSTEM"

Stating that they have left many obstacles behind financially and built a very good squad, Ali Koç said, “You saw the squad we built this year once we got rid of the obstacles. We will be better next year. From now on, our path is clear. You see our success in transfers. Last year, we had 56 million Euros in transfer revenue. Fenerbahçe has reached a point where going to Europe is being discussed. We have built one of the strongest and most valuable squads in our history.

Neither in Aziz Yıldırım's 20-year presidency nor in the 24-year period after 2000 was 90 points exceeded. We defeated everyone, but we could not defeat the system. While we were scoring 3-5 goals against everyone who came, our rival won many matches 1-0. They opened up at the end of the season. Remember the video leaked at the referee seminar,” he stated.

Touching on the increases in sponsorship revenues, President Ali Koç said, “In 2018, we had 7 sponsors. The 'Yellow Angels' (women's volleyball team) had no sponsors at all. We had 18.7 million Euros in sponsorship revenue. Today, we have 42 sponsors and no empty spots. We have nearly 48 million Euros in revenue. Currently, about 35-40 percent is sponsored by the Koç Group. I said, ‘I have no receivables of a single penny.’

I also explained why that receivable remains on the balance sheet. He has come out and is threatening, saying he will take it to court. While Fenerium had a turnover of 22 million Euros in 2018, it is now 47.5 million Euros. It now provides 27 million Euros in profit. We sold half a million jerseys; hopefully, we will see millions next year when we become champions,” he said.

“WE WILL BUILD THE DREAM TEAM OF FENERBAHÇE HISTORY"

Stating that he believes they will be champions in football this season, Koç said, “There might be a thought like, 'Mourinho came, did you spend all the money here?' Of course, we did not spend our entire budget. A sponsor will cover our coach's budget. One of them is a businessman who is wholeheartedly devoted to us.

Furthermore, our coach also said, ‘Find 4 sponsors every year and I will take part in commercials.’

Our team is strong. With the additions we will make, we will build the dream team of Fenerbahçe history. Maybe this team won't get 99 points, but this team will be the champion,” he expressed.

“THEY LEFT THE MAN WITH DEBT"

Speaking about bringing Jose Mourinho to the helm of the team and stating that the recent words of the other presidential candidate, Aziz Yıldırım, were unacceptable, Ali Koç continued his words as follows:

“With just a 21-hour call, 35 thousand people filled the stadium. See Mourinho's arrival here as a signal flare. He will do great things for Fenerbahçe. We believe in and trust him. He has already become a part of our family. The Mourinho transfer must have unsettled not only rival clubs but also Aziz Yıldırım, as the latest things said are unacceptable.

He said, 'They gave money to the agent under the table.' He does not accept that a coach could choose us. Today, a manager came out and said, 'We know that man (Jorge Mendes).' We could not make sense of this at the very beginning. Then the truth came out. They left the man with debt. They didn't pay in the 2014 Bruno Alves transfer. Then we paid it.”

“THE CONTINUATION WILL COME IN A SHORT TIME"

Emphasizing that they will build a squad where they will not have to promise a championship, Ali Koç said, “We are aware of the excitement Mourinho has already created.

I said we will build such a team that we will not have to promise a championship.

That process has begun. We have taken the first step, the continuation will come in a short time. We are not coming to you with populist projects. If we say we have agreed, we have agreed. And we say that after we sign. We agreed, he came. Don't we know how to go to England or Germany and get news reported? We don't do such things. We neither deceive you nor ourselves,” he said.

“I AM EMBARRASSED BEFORE YOU"

Expressing that Fenerbahçe has become a topic of conversation worldwide with the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Koç said, “We want to become a team that is respected not only within the country's borders but also around the world, whose matches are watched by those who are not Fenerbahçe fans, that will have world-renowned players, and that achieves sustainable success. This has already started to happen.

After the Champions League final, we were the most talked-about topic. Our value on the stock market has soared. Our fans should trust us. Maybe we have exhausted our credit in your eyes, but I am embarrassed before you. What will make me happy most is not the championships, but you saying 'I'm glad we stood behind him',” he expressed.

Stating that if they are re-elected as president, they will continue their investments in amateur branches, Ali Koç said, “We do not have a vision consisting only of football. We will continue our investments in team games and Olympic branches.

This year, 25 percent of the quota obtained so far for the Olympics still belongs to Fenerbahçe athletes. We have gained superiority over our eternal rivals. These investments will continue exactly as they are. It is not easy to keep the slogan 'the world's biggest club' alive,” he stated.

Stating that if they are elected, 'Mustafa Kemal Atatürk' will be written on the roof of Ülker Stadium, Ali Koç said, “If we win, we will change the visual on top of our stadium. Whether they give us this officially or not, our stadium's roof will be like this next season. We need to return to our factory settings regarding our stadium and the pressure our fans will create. We need to exert pressure on our rivals and referees,” he announced.

“COME TO THE STADIUM EARLY"

Finally, speaking about the elections to be held on the weekend, Koç said, “Whoever wins, let Fenerbahçe be the winner. If we are on your side, we will also have contributed. I am trying to tell you about the success story that will be written in Turkey this year with the investments we have made. A solid financial structure is indispensable for sustainable success.

I would like to thank our former board of directors. I thank all my friends on behalf of our community who did not waver an inch during this process and who got up in the morning and came to the club even on the worst days. We have a request from you on Saturday. Come to the stadium early with the congress members you know around you. There will be provocations and bad chants. Do not react. Look at me; if we react, then you react. We will not allow these elections to end with bullying. We are not like them, we should not be. Stay calm, we will win. We have to unite,” he stated.

The meeting ended after President Ali Koç invited the names who will take part in the new board of directors to the stage and introduced them if they are elected.

News Source: İHA