Resignation statement from Volkan Demirel

In the 34th week of the Süper Lig, Hatayspor was defeated 2-1 by Başakşehir in the match played at Mersin Stadium.

Speaking at the press conference held after the match, Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel emphasized that despite the result, his players put up the best fight they could in both today's match and last week's Antalyaspor match. Demirel said, "This week, they established a two-goal lead without even entering the penalty area. With the changes we made at the end, Dadashov's goal and the positions we had both at the beginning of the match and after the goals, we are unfortunately carrying the match we could have won to the next week with zero points in our account as a defeat," he said.

THE RESPONSIBILITY IS MINE

Noting that the Antalyaspor match ended in the same way, with Antalyaspor finishing with two shots without having any real positions, Demirel said, "This week is the same. I mean, what I want to say is this: The players are doing their best. We are a young team. We are a team made up of players who don't know the Turkish league. Why am I saying these things? At the last minute, at 2-1, everyone has gone forward. Even the fact that they were passing the ball there shows how foreign they are to this league or how young they are. It shows they are not experienced. I always say this. I am the one who built this team, the responsibility is mine. But we have been fighting as much as we can since the beginning of the season. We want to give our best fight on the pitch in these 4 matches as well, and we will. Let no one have any doubts. But in the end, I hope it will be for the best for us, for everyone—I am underlining this. I hope it will be the best for everyone. But we will fight to stay in the league for the next 4 weeks as much as we can," he stated.

Volkan Demirel responded to a question about the penalty appeal regarding the position before the first goal as follows:

"This also shows our inexperience. Because, for example, yes, we are appealing for a penalty, but the team stopped for a moment during that time. Afterwards, it was a long ball, a ball brought down, or a position that turned into a goal after hitting the post after they took a shot. I mean, football is actually hidden in the details. But of course, you cannot explain this to anyone. Since football is watched with blinders in our country, because everyone is result-oriented based on the situation or the score, we are hesitant to see, think about, or talk about other details. I am saying it again. I am not hiding behind these. If there is a failure and this team is relegated, all the responsibility is mine. I am raising my hand. But if this team is not relegated and stays in the league, the cake is there, whoever wants can eat what they want. We know what happened, what ended; the players know, the staff knows, the personnel knows. Yes, this team does not deserve this position, but as I said, our inexperience, our youth, our being newly formed, and our struggle despite many obstacles unfortunately brought us to this point."

I WANTED TO RESIGN, BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN

Emphasizing that they will continue to fight, Demirel said, "Maybe you ask if I will resign or not; the stands are shouting, they are right, I respect that. They are writing, they are right, I respect that. But as I said, from now on, even if someone else comes here for 4 matches, maybe I wanted to resign, I should have, but it didn't happen. We will talk about why it didn't happen when the time comes. But for 4 weeks, while I am here, leaving the team—of course, if they say 'go,' I will go, they are always welcome to. I have no such concern, but for 4 weeks, just as we have fought all year with this team, with the staff, with the players, we will fight for 4 more matches. After that, if it happens, it happens; if it doesn't, it doesn't. If it happens, I will stand tall when I come out here, and if it doesn't, I will still come out here standing tall. Because these children are fighting despite every condition and circumstance. That is why they deserve respect," he said.

News Source: İHA