Nuri Sahin is clear about it: “I’m not going to be a footballer again”

Antalyaspor, a Turkish team that plays in the Super League, announced that Nuri Sahin is their new coach for the next five seasons. Club president Aziz Cetin said last week that it would be the midfielder himself who would decide what to do. Finally, he has chosen to retire and become a coach: “I am not going to be a footballer again.”

Of course, Sahin already had stripes in the club. In just over a year, he has worn the captain’s armband and has become the undisputed starter in midfield. At the moment, in all eight games he has started, although he has been substituted in seven of them.

He was never a goalscoring or assisting player, as reflected in his statistics so far this season. His team is not doing much better, which is 14th in the standings with eight points from eight games played. The poor run of results has forced the dismissal of Ersun Yanal and the club has opted for an innovative and risky decision. His so far helmsman on the field will also be helmsman from the bench. From failed pearl of Madrid to player-coach.

Sahin will coach Antalyaspor for the first time tomorrow against Sivasspor at 17.00 (Spanish time), which he faces as a visitor.

Atlético, interested in Celik

Zeki Celik, Lille’s right-back, is close to Atlético de Madrid, according to the Turkish press. They even affirm that a pre-contract has already been signed that would join the footballer to the rojiblanco club until 2026. Sevilla is the other Spanish club that has been interested in the Turkish team since last summer.

Celik arrived at Lille in 2018, after his brilliant stint at Bursaspor in the Turkish Second Division.