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The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Arda Turan: ‘When Real and Barça went on tours Atlético ran in the mountains'
Arda Turan knows the question is coming. How has the firebrand who thrilled and exasperated during a successful, sometimes wildly controversial, playing career become a manager with the temperament to take on one of Europe's most delicate jobs? It comes down to taking a breath. 'When there is something going on, right now the first thing that comes into my mind is thinking rather than reacting,' he says with a grin. There will be plenty to occupy that fizzing brain at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he was appointed head coach in May. His competitive debut comes on Thursday, against the Finnish side Ilves, but it is a Europa League first qualifying round tie and the Ukrainian giants are not used to that stage. This is only their second year since the turn of the century without any form of Champions League football and they have rolled the dice by asking one of Turkey's greatest ever footballers to set them straight. Across those playing days Turan won 13 trophies, including two league titles apiece in La Liga and his homeland, and is a rare example of a Turkish export who achieved staying power at Europe's summit. In the first half of the 2010s there were few better, more varied attacking midfielders around. None of it came by chance and the aim now is to have a similar effect from the dugout. 'It's a special opportunity for me,' he says. 'Of course some things will take time. We need to regain the league title first and then we can think of getting Shakhtar to play games that have 'final' in their names, just like they did 16 years ago'. He is talking about their now almost unthinkable Uefa Cup win in 2009. Turan has not come in cold: the chance to think big was hard won after a two-year spell overseeing the rise of minnows Eyupspor, a little-known Istanbul club who he guided to a first top-flight promotion in 2023-24, narrowly failing to crown that with a European spot last season. It was impressive work by any measure of a first managerial role. 'Improvised football' and 'automatism' is how he terms the style behind their breakthrough, although in reality there is plenty more behind his methods. Much of it owes to time spent under a string of garlanded managers at Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, his beloved Galatasaray and the Turkey national team. Among them were the contrasting styles of Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique, while he also points to the likes of Fatih Terim, Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard. Turan was hot-headed but says he was always listening, too, and storing ideas for future adaptation. He captained Galatasaray aged 22. 'Management was always somewhere in my mind,' he says. 'I always observed the interaction between coaches and players: what the coach did and how the players were responding. 'If you've ever worked with Simeone you'll always have certain football ideas in your head. You'll directly implement them because he was so impressive. Luis Enrique always had great face-to-face communication with players and incredible attacking solutions. I really believe they were very important. 'But it's not copy and paste, I have my own football ideas too. With Simeone and Luis Enrique I had very valuable chats and discussions. They were excellent teachers but I also believe good students should improve on what they have been taught. I have a lot of positives in my pocket and now I'm trying to put them into practice on the pitch.' He points to the blend of magic, tight-bound brotherhood and extraordinary physical prowess that saw off Real Madrid and Barcelona to earn Atlético that most scintillating of La Liga wins in 2013-14. Simeone's team could play but, before everything, they were taught humility. 'I always give this example: when Real and Barcelona were going to the US or the far east in pre-season with their sunglasses and everything, we were taken running in the mountains in Segovia,' Turan says. Perhaps harnessing the steel of Simeone with the lyrical approach of Luis Enrique would reap dividends. In extensively outlining what separates the elite from everybody else, Turan repeatedly comes back to the topic of physicality as a platform for expression. He believes it helped Eyupspor face up to Turkey's giants and wants it to shift the dial in Ukraine. 'In the big five leagues, 24 players out of 24 have the top physical quality,' he says. 'In the other leagues only five or six players in each team have that quality and this creates the imbalance. Look at Nuno Mendes, the left-back at PSG: he loses many balls, but the point is that he reacts straight afterwards. Tactics and correct positioning are important but you can't implement them without physicality. 'I was an offensive player, always wearing 10, and eventually didn't like to run. But it's the first step to achieving certain things. You can see how Ousmane Dembélé has been transformed, starting the high press. If we want to reach the highest level with Shakhtar we need to fight like this. If you are ready, you will feel you can compete with anyone.' Turan's aggressive edge has overspilled in ways that cannot be ignored. In September 2019 he was given a suspended jail sentence, which has now expired, after a brawl with the singer Berkay Sahin. It resulted in a broken nose for Sahin and culminated with Turan appearing at the hospital, firing a gun at the floor during the ensuing confusion. He later apologised. Turan is also alleged to have abused a journalist on Turkey's team plane after a match against North Macedonia in 2017, briefly retiring from international football afterwards, and in 2018 received a 16-game ban for shoving an assistant referee while on loan at Istanbul Basaksehir. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion At 38, and with managers' behaviour far more closely policed, those old ways will not get you anywhere. 'When I was a player, I was only responsible for myself,' he says. 'I didn't have two children. I was more aggressive. I had the right to be more aggressive, and more right to make mistakes. But when you are a manager, you have players to look after and should remain calm in your character. 'I can say I'm more professional now, but if there's something unfair to me then I won't give in and my players know it. Of course I have made mistakes in my past, but I believe some of them came from the right place and I don't regret making them.' He knows man management will be essential in the unique situation he has inherited at Shakhtar, who have flown the flag for Ukraine to enormous credit for more than a decade since Russia's invasion forced them to leave Donetsk. Travel to play European games – whether away or at 'home' grounds such as Stozice Stadium in Ljubljana, where they will face Ilves – eats up endless days on the road. Players and their close ones continue to feel the horrors being inflicted in their country. The task of returning Shakhtar to the top has dimensions far beyond football. 'It's really exciting that we have this opportunity to make so many people happy, to give some contentment when all these things are going on in their country,' he says. 'We will have no excuses at all. The lives and families of my players are the most important thing to me and I've told them I will be supporting them fully in this area. My heart will always be with them. The sacrifices Ukrainian football has made are huge and if I can help Shakhtar be successful I'll be the happiest person.' Turan will work closely with the Shakhtar director of football, Darijo Srna, with whom he sparred on multiple occasions for fine Turkey and Croatian teams. It appears Srna has forgiven him for the dramatic fashion in which Turan's side prevailed in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals, both players scoring in the shootout but Turkey pulling through after the teams had traded goals late in extra time. 'They really crushed us in the eight years after that,' he laughs. 'It was an important game in our history. Maybe without that suffering, they couldn't have bounced back and gone all the way to the World Cup final. I'm happy we shared these moments.' Now they aim to feast in many more. Turan the head coach may be an unlikely figure to those with long memories, but has no qualms admitting that he wants to emulate those heights achieved on the pitch. 'Of course I have this dream in my mind,' he says. 'But I think Shakhtar have every means in place to realise my dreams.' Restoring their past glories would, by some distance, be his greatest feat yet.
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Europa League draw puts Hibs on alert ahead of learning UEFA fate
Shakhtar and Legia both get straightforward ties in first qualifying round Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs will be hoping to avoid one of the either/or options in tomorrow's Europa League second qualifying round draw. And their path to UEFA league stage football is just a little bit clearer after today's first qualifying round draw. David Gray's men will definitely be unseeded in the draw scheduled for 12 noon UK time tomorrow. And early risers among the Easter Road support will be able to find out more about potential opponents when UEFA split the eight potential ties into two groups of four at 7.30 am tomorrow. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For planning purposes, Hibs would like to draw one of the four seeded teams afforded direct entry to the second qualifying round. Even if that means taking on a side with a proven European pedigree in the shape of FC Midtjylland, Anderlecht, SC Braga or FC Lugano, all of whom have played in league/group stage football in recent seasons. That would at least give Hibs time to prepare hosting and travel plans for the two games scheduled for July 24 and 31. If they draw the winners of one of the first-round ties, however, they won't have the identity of their opposition – or their destination for the away leg – confirmed until July 17, giving them under a week to make all the arrangements. Europa League first round qualifying draw - ties to be played July 10 and 17. Legia Warsaw (Poland) v FC Aktobe (Kazakhstan) Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) v Ilves Tampere (Finland) Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) v FC Prishtina (Kosovo) Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) v BK Hacken (Sweden) Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) v Hapoel Beer-Sheva (Israel) AEK Larnaca (Cyprus) v Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) Paksi FC (Hungary) v CFR 1907 Cluj (Romania) Sabah FC (Azerbaijan) v NK Celje (Slovenia) At least today's draw has narrowed the field slightly, with Shakhtar Donetsk and Legia Warsaw both handed favourable draws – making their progress to the second qualifying round more likely. Should top seeds Shakhtar, Legia, Partizan Belgrade or Sheriff Tiraspol be upset in the first round, their conquerors will retain their seeding for the second qualifying round - meaning Hibs could be drawn against an outsider, albeit one who has just pulled off a major shock. Europa League second qualifying round draw (*denotes team still to navigate first qualifying round) Seeded (*denotes team in first qualifying round) Unseeded (*denotes team in first qualifying round) FC Midtjylland (Denmark) Hibernian (Scotland) Sporting Braga (Portugal) Besiktas (Turkey) Anderlecht (Belgium) FC Utrecht (Netherlands) FC Lugano (Switzerland) Banik Ostrava (Czechia) Shakhtar Donetsk* (Ukraine)/Ilves Tampere (Finland) CFR Cluj* (Romania)/Paksi FC (Hungary) Legia Warsaw* (Poland)/FC Aktobe (Kazakhstan) Hapoel Beer-Sheva* (Israel)/Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) Partizan Belgrade* (Serbia)/AEK Larnaca (Cyprus) NK Celje* (Slovenia)/Sabah FC (Azerbaijan) Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova)/FC Prishtina (Kosovo) Spartak Trnava* (Slovakia)/BK Hacken (Sweden) Denied the prize of guaranteed European league stage football by Aberdeen's shock Scottish Cup win over Celtic at Hampden last month, Hibs face a tough road to reach either the Europa League or Conference League proper. Should they get through two rounds of Europa League qualifying to reach the play-offs, failure there would see them drop into the league stages of the Conference League. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Just getting past the Europa League second qualifying round would guarantee them a place in the Conference League play-offs. Fail to get past their first hurdle in the Europa League, however, and they'll drop into the Conference League third qualifying round. Watch this space: Tune back in tomorrow morning to get a rundown on ALL of Hibernian's potential Europa League opponents in our handy guide to the draw.
Morocco World
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Arda Turan Named New Shakhtar Donetsk Manager
Shakhtar Donetsk have appointed Arda Turan as their new head coach with a deal running until 2027. Turan, 38, replaces Marino Pusic after Shakhtar slipped to third in the Ukrainian Premier League – their worst finish in nearly three decades. The ex-Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona midfielder moves into the role after two years in charge of Turkish side Eyüpspor, where he led them to promotion and a strong top-flight debut, finishing sixth. Shakhtar, who now play their home games in Lviv due to the ongoing war, are looking to Turan to bring a fresh spark ahead of their Europa League campaign. 'I want to win trophies and bring pride to the fans,' said Turan. Managerial rise Turan took over Eyüpspor in 2023, shortly after retiring. His first full season saw promotion to the Süper Lig, followed by a sixth-place finish the year after. In total: 84 games, 45 wins, 14 draws, 25 defeats. His sides press high, play in a 4-3-3 and work hard off the ball. He's big on discipline and demands full commitment from his players. Turan says he wants to outdo his playing career as a coach. Big words – but his start's been impressive. A bold call Reaction to his appointment has been mixed. Some fans welcome his energy and ambition. Others worry about his lack of European experience. Shakhtar chief Serhii Palkin backs him fully, calling Turan 'a coach who knows how to lead and win.' Tags: Arda TuranShakhtarTurkiye
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Former Barcelona midfielder, Arda Turan, appointed Shakhtar head coach
Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk has announced former Turkey midfielder Arda Turan as its new head coach, replacing Marino Pusic. Turan, 38, has signed a contract until 2027 after taking unfancied Eyupspor to a sixth-place finish in the Turkish top flight. Next season, 15-time Ukrainian champion Shakhtar will feature in the Europa League first qualifying round having won the domestic cup earlier this month. 'I'm proud to have joined Shakhtar - a great club with a rich history and great traditions,' Turan said in a Shakhtar statement. 'We are deeply motivated to win trophies - both in Ukraine and in European competitions.' Shakhtar was forced to leave its home ground, the Donbass Arena in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, after Russian-backed separatists seized control of the region in 2014. Its home league games take place in the western city of Lviv. It held its Champions League games this term in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Turan retired from playing in 2022 after spells with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray. He also won 100 caps for his country.
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Major Mykhailo Mudryk update as banned Chelsea star ‘passes lie detector test' in bid to clear his name
Shakhtar's CEO has revealed the eye-watering sum that his club could lose out on due to Mudryk's ban LIE IN WAIT Major Mykhailo Mudryk update as banned Chelsea star 'passes lie detector test' in bid to clear his name MYKHAILO MUDRYK has passed a lie detector test in a bid to clear his name as a drugs cheat, it is claimed. The troubled Chelsea star is currently suspended while awaiting a further result on a urine sample which tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. Advertisement 2 Mykhailo Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since November Credit: AP Mudryk signed from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk two years ago and the CEO of his former club says the player underwent a Polygraph test organised by his lawyers. Sergei Palkin said: 'I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose. "He doesn't understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. No idea at all. 'So his lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn't intentionally do anything wrong. Advertisement "Mudryk has been clear, it's not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out.' Unknowingly taking banned substances is no defence and Mudryk faces a ban of up to four years. He has not played since November 28 last year when he scored for Chelsea against Germans Heidenheim in the Conference League. Traces of meldonium were discovered in a routine urine sample submitted while on international duty. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 2 Palkin admits his club is on Mudryk's side because they are still owed money as part of the transfer deal which could rise to £88m with add ons but only if he plays regularly. Mudryk, 24, has disappeared from public view since news broke of him failing a drugs test. He has not been seen at Chelsea's training ground for months. Advertisement Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk facing FOUR YEAR ban after failing drugs test Ukrainian football has been ravaged by the invasion of neighbours Russia in 2022, leaving many clubs in dire financial straits. Palkin told GiveMeSport: "There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what's happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He's a top professional and a very good person. He should be protected. "Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his move to Chelsea linked to his performances. 'If he's not playing, it causes problems for us because we could potentially lose €30m (£25m). So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat. We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon. Advertisement 'Selling Mudryk to Chelsea was a crucial deal for us. 'Without the Mudryk fee, I don't understand how we would have settled many, many, many issues." Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge
