Volkan Demirel responds to departure question!

In the 22nd week of the Trendyol Super Lig, Atakaş Hatayspor drew 1-1 with Corendon Alanyaspor, whom they hosted in Mersin. Manager Volkan Demirel said, "We are in a difficult process, but we will overcome this process in the best way possible as a team."

Speaking at the press conference held after the match at Mersin Stadium, Demirel stated that they had conceded a goal in the final minutes once again.

Pointing out that they are in a difficult period, Demirel said:

"If matches were 85 minutes long, we would be in different places right now, but there is nothing to be done. That is why football is beautiful. We are in a difficult process, but we will overcome this process in the best way possible as a team. Last week, I call it a referee error on a throw-in. Today, there was a penalty caused by a lack of motivation, again from a throw-in. I don't want to comment on the penalty. I respect our young referees. Turkey needs young referees, but I can say that they need to be a little more careful in matches."

Expressing that they are in the lower ranks, Demirel said, "We are in the lower ranks. We are close to the red zone and we are aware of it. God willing, we will get out of here. Because we built and planned this team."

Demirel stated that there might be players who want to leave the team during the mid-season transfer window, adding, "There might be players who want to leave us. Because our budget is low, some players want higher salaries and we are not in a position to meet that. There are transfer requests regarding some players. We will evaluate them and allow their transfers."

"WE WILL RECOVER IN THE BEST WAY"

Emphasizing that all responsibility lies with him, Volkan Demirel continued:

"Just as we gave everyone hope in the first 8 weeks, we are currently in a decline. We will recover from this decline in the best way possible. Our goal this season was not to be relegated anyway. The good performance in the first 8 weeks increased everyone's expectations. Fans and the people of Hatay may not be satisfied. There may be those who want my resignation; I respect them all, but all responsibility belongs to me. Neither the management, nor the president, nor anyone else has any responsibility here. I have organized everything for this team. That is why I am here until the end of the season. The players and our managers know this very well. At the end of the season, I will bring the ship to port in the best way possible and finish my duty."

When asked by a journalist, "In recent matches, the team sits back after scoring a goal, and this affects the result. Could you evaluate this?" Demirel replied:

"We waited in the first zone in this match because we knew the opponent had many passing options. They are a team that likes to pass. Coach Fatih was doing this at İstanbulspor as well. We closed the gaps between the blocks well. We didn't give away many chances. In the final minutes, it was a bit of a lapse in concentration from a throw-in. Of course, there are many factors for these. Being a young team, not having played with players who know the Turkish league, these are all factors. There are many factors, but I am not hiding behind them. All responsibility is mine. The goal we conceded in the 85th minute and the goal we conceded in the first minute are on me. At the end of the season, we will keep Hatayspor in the league in the best way possible. After that, we will do the planning for the next season."

WILL HE LEAVE AT THE END OF THE SEASON?

When asked, "Will you leave Hatayspor at the end of the season?" Demirel said, "No. Let's get to the end of the season first. We don't know what will happen tomorrow. You know what we have been through."

Stating that he heard "management resign" chants from the stands and that this was not a situation related to the management, Demirel noted that he was responsible for the entire organization.

Explaining that he is at Hatayspor until the end of the season, Demirel said:

"The entire organization, incoming and outgoing players, sponsorships, players' salaries, everything belongs to me. So there is no management-related situation. I organized everything here. And I am here until the end of the season. No one should tire themselves out. Just as I planned this team by working day and night with these kids, I will work day and night until the end of the season and keep this team in the league. Hatay has become a different place for me. I see this place like my family. I haven't seen my family for a month. I continue to work here for Hatayspor. I am the one who organizes everything, not just regarding the players but everyone who works here. Therefore, after the end of the season comes, we will look and act according to whatever the conditions and situations are."

Hatayspor, under the management of Volkan Demirel, has not won a match in the Super Lig for 10 games.