Ali Koç: Our final step was to choose an enthusiastic coach

Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç announced the decision regarding the head coach position during the presentation ceremony of the Fenerbahçe Football Academy Project. During President Koç's speech, the club's social media account announced that a 2-year agreement had been reached with Domenico Tedesco. Ali Koç said the following regarding the A-team:

"This will be the embodiment of the process where we say, 'We have completed the recovery period of our dream of a self-sustaining Fenerbahçe, the day we said we are leaving the Banks Association, and we have moved on to the breakthrough period.' This will be the place where our children dream, where our youth setups are prepared for the future, and the kitchen of our A-Team's championships.

First of all, in line with our planning at the end of last season, our intention for the new season was to continue with our coach Jose Mourinho. That was our plan. In the many meetings and gatherings we held, we analyzed the pros and cons of last season. We thoroughly evaluated and consulted on what needed to change for us to become champions, what was needed, our club's historical football understanding—that is, our football DNA—what our fans expect in terms of playing style, what they are accustomed to, and which playing style brings us championships.

Following this evaluation process, in line with our squad planning and the fact that our financial strength is healthier and allows for it, we raised the bar in player transfers, as you have seen. When I say 'we raised the bar,' you know we have to act within the limits. I have to thank two people here. One is Hakan Safi. He signed off on a major 4-year investment for the Kerem Aktürkoğlu transfer. May God be pleased with him. Thank you.

The second factor is that we sold Yusuf Akçiçek, who only played 19 matches for Fenerbahçe—that is, Yusuf, who grew up where you grew up—to the Saudi Arabian League for 22 million Euros. Of course, it broke our hearts.

We wanted to keep him for longer, but sometimes we are forced to. We were able to open up our limits both with Mr. Hakan's touches and generosity, and with the financial resources Yusuf brought to our club. We have created a squad today that we perhaps wouldn't have dreamed of 3 months ago."

"IT HAD MADE US QUESTION OUR BELIEF"

Pointing out that the team's current value is 315 million Euros, President Koç said, "In our opinion, this squad is at a level capable of playing much more effective football than the football played last season. However, the new season has started. Yes, we played our friendly matches. We had a good summer camp both in Samandıra and in Portugal. However, the football displayed in 5 official matches had made us question our belief that our coach would lead us to the championship. In other words, we could not see a very big difference from last season. In short, we had to make a very difficult decision with the belief that the squad we built for this season should play much better football. Looking at the timing of the process of parting ways with our coach, that is, considering the approaching elections, I can say that this is a questionable and risky decision. However, when we look at it in terms of the success and championship targeted this season, I personally think we made a very correct decision. This decision is a step taken in the interest of Fenerbahçe and towards becoming champions," he said.

"OUR GREATEST PRIORITY IS TO MAKE OUR TEAM CHAMPIONS"

Stating the details of the decision to settle on the Italian coach, Koç said, "Making our team champions is, of course, our greatest responsibility and priority. Being in the Europa League final at Tüpraş Stadium in May is also a major goal of ours. Our final step was to select a coach best suited to the DNA of the strong football squad we have built and to Fenerbahçe's tradition of attacking, enthusiastic football. It was not easy. At this point in the season, alternatives are also limited. However, when we look at the data, analyses, past performances, situations in Europe, and the squads worked with, as a result of an evaluation made with a collective football vision, we decided to appoint Domenico Tedesco. God willing, he will have landed in a few hours," he said.

News Source: İHA