Latest news with #Kokcu
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Orkun Kokcu eyeing Arne Slot reunion at Liverpool as Benfica star snubs Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas interest and aims for Premier League move
Kokcu not interested in moving to Turkey Turkish midfielder wants to reunite with Arne Slot at Liverpool Had a verbal spat with head coach Bruno Lage WHAT HAPPENED? According to A Bola, the 2022-23 Eredivisie title winner wants to reunite with his former Feyenoord boss Slot at Liverpool. The Turkish international is reportedly not on good terms with manager Bruno Lage and wants to part ways with the Portuguese club. The midfielder is aware of interest from Turkey but believes a move to the Super Lig at this stage of his career will hurt his growth. Advertisement THE BIGGER PICTURE THE BIGGER PICTURE The midfielder was said to have been angered by Lage's decision to substitute him in the 61st minute of Benfica's fixture against New Zealand's Auckland City in the Club World Cup. The player engaged in a verbal spat with the manager on the sidelines as they both pointed fingers at each other. The outburst has sparked reports that Kokcu wants to leave. TELL ME MORE Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas are all interested in bringing the 24-year-old to Turkey. However, having previously played under Slot and winning the Eredivisie under his management, Kokcu is interested in moving to Anfield. He is tied to Benfica until June 30, 2028, and has a release clause of €150 million (£129m/$177m). Advertisement WHAT NEXT FOR BENFICA? WHAT NEXT FOR BENFICA? Benfica were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Chelsea at the round of 16 stage. The Portuguese club will next face rivals Sporting CP in Supertaca final.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Premier League boss breaks silence on explosive row with his own player at Club World Cup - after he was told 'F*** YOU' before shushing star
Former Wolves boss Bruno Lage has admitted his explosive touchline row with Orkun Kokcu at the the Club World Cup was 'not a good moment', but backed the Benfica midfielder to still have an important role at the club. Kokcu had reacted furiously to Lage's decision to substitute him during Benfica's 6-0 victory over Auckland City last week. In the 62nd minute, with his side 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Angel Di Maria and Vangelis Pavlidis, Lage opted to shuffle his pack and substitute Kokcu for former Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain star Renato Sanches. The Turkish midfielder left the pitch in a sulk and refused to shake Lage's hand, a gesture which is often performed between a player and his coach before heading for the substitutes' bench. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Kokcu shouted 'f*** you' in Lage's direction as the row intensified, before reluctantly taking his seat alongside team-mates in the dugout. Lage angrily told his player to be quiet by shushing him in response. The pair were seen in a blazing row after Lage substituted Kokcu against Auckland City Moments later, to the manager's delight, substitute Sanches scored to put Benfica three ahead, and the 49-year-old coach walked over to Kokcu and spoke to the midfielder with his hand covering his mouth. Visibly angered by his manager's words and actions, the 24-year-old leapt to his feet and scolded Lage, raising his index finger with a furious facial expression. In response, the Portuguese manager again put his finger to his mouth and shushed Kokcu, who needed to be held back by team-mate Kerem Akturkoglu as he went to leave the bench. Speaking ahead of their final group match at the Club World Cup, Lage declined to say whether Kokcu would start against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The Benfica boss, however, acknowledged the spat was 'not a good moment' and claimed the row had been resolved 'as a family'. 'The most important thing is to say that both I and the player are aware that it was not a good moment. As a leader, I have to be the first to acknowledge that,' Lage said at a press conference. 'He has Turkish blood, but I have Sadino blood, which also boils very quickly, although sometimes I don't show it. 'The most important thing was that we spoke eye to eye, face to face, and tried to understand how two people who have always had a very good relationship had that moment. 'I understand that he is a grateful person, just as he knows what a player he is and how important he is to me, now and in the future. I believe he could have a very big role at Benfica. That is the most important thing. 'We have talked a lot as a family, as you know. The matter was resolved as a family and what I feel and hope is that we are all intelligent enough to, once again, in an equally positive moment, come out more cohesive and united to do our job. 'We are in tune on this matter.' Kokcu was ultimately named on the bench for Benfica's third group match against Bayern Munich. Benfica currently lie second in the Group C table on four points, two behind their opponents. Lage's side are well placed to qualify with third placed Boca Juniors lying three points adrift heading into their match with Auckland City, while the Argentines must make up a seven goal swing.
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Premier League boss told 'f*** you' by own player in angry Club World Cup row
The Club World Cup saw stunning teams as Benfica boss Bruno Lage was seen in a furious row with his own midfielder following a substitution - despite the Portuguese side leading Former Premier League manager Bruno Lage was remarkably told 'f*** you' by his own player during Benfica's 6-0 win over Auckland City in the Club World Cup. The ex-Wolves was involved in an intense spat with midfielder Orkun Kokcu after he decided to replace the Turkish star with the Portuguese side already 2-0. Goals from Angel Di Maria and Vangelis Pavlidis saw Benfica cruising and Lage opted to replace Kokcu with ex-Bayern Munich and Swansea ace Renato Sanches. Kokcu did not take kindly to the decision and made as much clear as he departed the pitch. The 24-year-old was furious as he made his way to the sidelines and refused to shake the hand of his manager. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Kokcu shouted 'f*** you' at Lage as the row escalated with the Benfica star taking his seat among team-mates, while Lage fired back by telling his player to be quiet by shushing him. Lage was soon allowed a moment of smugness as Portugal international Sanches got on the scoresheet to add a third goal for Benfica, soon after his introduction. The 49-year-old coach made sure that Kokcu knew his decision paid off. The boss, in his second spell with Benfica, covered his mouth to share a few words with his player. It is suggested the 49-year-old told Kokcu that he had a better feel for game when deciding to make the substitution. The words did not land well however as Kokcu rose to his feet and vented his anger. The midfielder forcefully pointed towards his manager and was visibly furious. Kokcu needed to be restrained by team-mate Kerem Akturkoglu as Lage was again put his finger to his mouth. Unsurprisingly, Lage was asked about the situation following the game. "Orkun Kokcu wanted to win and score more goals, but we decided that Renato should come on," he explained. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. That's how it was today, too." "I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience," he added. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Premier League manager is told ‘f*** you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-PREM boss Bruno Lage has been embroiled in an astonishing touchline spat with his OWN player. The Benfica boss watched his side see off Auckland City 6-0 in the Club World Cup on Friday night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Benfica boss Bruno Lage was involved in a furious row with Orkun Kokcu Credit: Getty 3 The ex-Wolves manager was seen shushing his player during the row Credit: Getty Benfica struggled to break down the Kiwi minnows, taking almost an hour to find the opener. Lage decided to shuffle his pack in the Orlando heat, replacing Orkun Kokcu with ex-Swansea City midfielder Renato Sanches. But Kokcu was furious at being subbed, refusing to shake Lage's hand as he skulked from the field. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims Kokcu turned and shouted "f*** you" at his manager before taking his place on the bench. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL MARC MY WORDS Guehi makes summer transfer decision between Arsenal and Liverpool WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN A furious Lage confronted Kokcu and was seen shushing him by placing a finger on his lips. And after Sanches netted Benfica's third, the boss headed back to the bench to carry on the feud. Kerem Akturkoglu was seen holding Kokcu back, preventing the incident from escalating as Lage again shushed his own player. Lage claimed after the match that Kokcu was guilty of only wanting to "win and score goals". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He said: "We decided that Renato should come on. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. Bayern Munich beat Boca Juniors 2-1 at the Club World Cup "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. "That's how it was today, too. I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. "I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." 3 Lage, 49, took charge of Wolves in the Premier League between June 2021 and October 2022. He won just 19 of 51 games at Molineux, but was hampered by an injury crisis to his strikers. Julen Lopetegui replaced Lage in the Midlands, with the Portuguese taking charge of Botofago in Brazil before joining Benfica for a second stint last summer.
The Irish Sun
21-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Premier League manager is told ‘f*** you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row
EX-PREM boss Bruno Lage has been embroiled in an astonishing touchline spat with his OWN player. The Benfica boss watched his side see off Auckland City 6-0 in the Club World Cup on Friday night. Advertisement 3 Benfica boss Bruno Lage was involved in a furious row with Orkun Kokcu Credit: Getty 3 The ex-Wolves manager was seen shushing his player during the row Credit: Getty Lage decided to shuffle his pack in the Orlando heat, replacing Orkun Kokcu with ex-Swansea City midfielder Renato Sanches. But Kokcu was furious at being subbed, refusing to shake Lage's hand as he skulked from the field. Portuguese outlet Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL A furious Lage confronted Kokcu and was seen shushing him by placing a finger on his lips. And after Sanches netted Benfica's third, the boss headed back to the bench to carry on the feud. Kerem Akturkoglu was seen holding Kokcu back, preventing the incident from escalating as Lage again shushed his own player. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Lage claimed after the match that Kokcu was guilty of only wanting to "win and score goals". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He said: "We decided that Renato should come on. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. Advertisement Bayern Munich beat Boca Juniors 2-1 at the Club World Cup "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. "That's how it was today, too. I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. Advertisement "I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." 3 Lage, 49, took charge of Wolves in the Premier League between June 2021 and October 2022. He won just 19 of 51 games at Molineux, but was hampered by an injury crisis to his strikers. Advertisement Julen Lopetegui replaced Lage in the Midlands, with the Portuguese taking charge of Botofago in Brazil before joining Benfica for a second stint last summer.
