Şenol Güneş responds to resignation question

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Güneş stated that it was a bad night for them, saying, "I know that losing this match after the last one has saddened me, the players, and the fans. As well as the management and the president. I apologize to the fans, the president, and the management."

"THERE IS NO ACCEPTABLE SIDE TO LOSING"

Stating that the players are professionals doing their jobs, Güneş continued as follows:

"They are showing their best effort on the pitch. Regardless of how we analyze the game today—whether we had more chances or conceded fewer—there is no acceptable side to losing against a Hatayspor team that is currently in the lower ranks. I am not satisfied with our position, our play, or the result. Therefore, being sad is not enough. As a team, we expected 3 points going into the Konya match and this one; we have lost 6 points in two matches. Yes, we were hurried in our play, we played tensely, we played in a panic. Especially after the substitutions, those who came on were not effective amidst this panic. This, of course, was reflected in the result."

"I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANY MALICE"

Responding to questions from the press, manager Şenol Güneş answered the question, "Is there any concern or thought of sabotage in your mind?" by saying, "No, that is not possible. Neither the players nor anything else could be that way. Right now, regarding the players on the pitch, I can say this: I know the players do not have their own agendas.

But I think that those who are upset when they do not play may have low morale. This is normal. Those who expect to play may have issues when they come on later. Even if I do not find it right, it can happen. But I do not think there is any malice in any player. Especially in this squad, I do not think there is such a player."

"THE PLAYERS WE BROUGHT ON DID NOT CONTRIBUTE"

Explaining that he had to use Simon Banza, who had not trained for a week due to his injury, Güneş continued as follows:

"But there was both a desire on his part to play and we thought it was a necessity for us. We tried to use the 4-man attacking line that we have been playing in recent weeks. Zubkov also came with light runs after his injury sustained while going to Konya. He joined us for training for the last day. Both were in a risky situation, but they wanted to play. Zubkov was also quite good today. He said he could come off depending on the flow of the game at halftime, we waited for a while and then we took him off."

Actually, he was one of the best. But the players we brought into the game did not contribute. Let alone contribute, they played far below their own standards. They also played in a panic. This lowered the team's tempo and playing power in both shooting, crossing, and using the ball, as well as in pressing the opponent."

"I WISH HE HAD NEVER CALLED THE TWO PENALTIES"

Güneş also spoke about Trabzonspor's two penalties that were overturned by VAR:

"We have talked about the referee before. Actually, we talked little, I am speaking for myself. I preferred to talk little. But there were a few positions, and we mentioned the negatives after the match we won. We saw that nothing changed. As of today, I preferred to talk about my own shortcomings rather than talking about what he decided. Because no matter what, we had to win. We had such positions. I wish he had never called the two penalties regarding the referee. Let me just say that. Let the game continue, maybe we will score a goal. What mistakes there are in terms of referee management, those should be discussed by the authorities, not us. I do not want to look for any ulterior motive there either."

"I DO NOT WANT IT TO BE USED AS AN EXCUSE"

Underlining that they do not want to lean too much towards those sides in terms of the game because he holds himself responsible, Güneş said, "Because I only did things as a warning. I saw that nothing changed. Mistakes were made, whether they were intentional or not, VARs were given, the opposite happened. The match was played at different times. I want all of these to be a subject outside of me. Because after losing this match today, I do not want to enter into another matter to be used as an excuse."

"WE WILL TALK TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD"

Manager Şenol Güneş also commented on the fans' reactions calling for his resignation after the match:

"We apologize to the fans. First of all, it is unfortunate that such a match happened to them and to us. It is saddening that we responded to them with such a result. As I said, the players are on duty, and I am the one authorized and responsible. I grant them the right to say this to me. Me being sad does not change anything.

To decide on such matters, we will talk to the president and the board. Whatever the most correct decision is for Trabzonspor, that is what will be made; we will make it, so we have no problem with that. But let me say this: since I arrived, the president and the board have shown every effort they could. I do not think any player's problem stems from the management. In terms of the squad, I think and have already thought that we can get better results with this roster."

"WE HAVE ALWAYS FAILED TO CROSS THE THRESHOLDS"

Stating that he had previously mentioned they were trying to build the team of the future without putting the club into debt and by considering its economy, Güneş continued his words as follows:

"If we had won these two matches, we would have had a great chance to qualify for the European Cups, which is our goal since we are behind in the league, as we would have reached 38 points; we have always failed to cross these thresholds. Today's result at our home ground was a huge surprise for us. The competition in the cup continues. There is no problem with the management or the president. The other things being said are just from those who want to create chaos."

"IF IT WILL MAKE THE FANS HAPPY, IT IS NOT A PROBLEM"

If the results on the pitch are poor, as I am the one responsible, I am also the one who needs to fix it. Therefore, when things don't improve, there can be all kinds of criticism and remarks. We have seen this before. We have seen it now as well. I am naturally more saddened because what I have seen during this period is something I have not seen before. When making a decision about myself, I do not take a decision to protect myself, I take a decision to protect the club. If it will make these fans happy, I will take that decision too, it's not a problem."