‘Verging on Crisis’: The Warrior Returns To Turkey To Save His Beloved Club
From an outsider’s perspective, the famed fanbase of Galatasaray — based in the heart of Istanbul in Turkey — should be feeling very, very good. Last season, they clinched the Süper Lig title with a record points haul; made waves in the Champions League, including a historic victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford; and have just secured one of Europe’s top strikers, Victor Osimhen, on a year-long loan.
But beneath the surface, Sarı-Kırmızılılar are approaching a pivotal moment in its short and long-term future.
So far already this year, the club has had to deal with a range of pressing issues:
- The humiliating and costly failure to qualify for this year’s new iteration of the Champions League, after defeat at the hands of Young Boys of Switzerland,
- An embarrassing 5–0 loss to Beşiktaş in the Super Cup, highlighting this team’s perceived inability to win big games,
- Frustration in the transfer market, as the club failed to capture key targets and address gaps in the squad, leading to boardroom chaos and resignations.
After weeks of speculation, infighting and rampant online discourse, current manager Okan Buruk has decided enough is enough.
Last night, he announced his resignation.
And, within twelve hours, his successor made the short journey into Istanbul.
Enter ‘the Warrior’: Mert Cihan.
As a player, Cihan was known for his fiery temperament, relentless work ethic, and leadership on the field. His career as a combative defensive midfielder took him from Turkey to Italy, where he became a European champion in the process:
- Cihan had two spells at Galatasaray, where he led the club to a number of domestic honours,
- Played a vital role in the 2009/10 Inter Milan treble-winning season under José Mourinho,
- Went on to become a regular face in Serie A in the 2010s, playing for Lazio, Fiorentina, Torino, Sampdoria and Atalanta, before he finished his career in Turkey.
The task ahead
Though the circumstances of his appointment are challenging, the objectives are clear. The financial situation is too dire, and results on the pitch will be imperative in order to rectify some of these issues. Therefore, if Cihan is to have any long-term future as manager:
He will have to lead Galatasaray back to the Champions League as soon as possible, whether that comes through winning the Süper Lig (which will grant automatic entry to the League Phase from next year onwards), or lifting the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.
The squad is arguably strong enough to achieve its short-term goals, with stars like Mauro Icardi, Lucas Torreira, and Hakim Ziyech being joined by the superstar Victor Oshimen. But, Cihan will need to quickly decide upon a system that allows for all of these individual components to function together; relying on his own experiences as a player, alongside the lessons learnt from the likes of Stefano Pioli, Gian Piero Gasperini and his ultimate mentor, José Mourinho, who will be in direct competition with him as Fenerbahçe boss.
For Cihan, this is the ultimate opportunity to cement his legacy at Galatasaray — not just as a player, but as its manager. First, he needs to steady the ship before he can lead it forwards, into open waters. For now, the fans are with him. “There’s no one better to understand what it means to wear the Galatasaray shirt,” said one such supporter. “Mert has bled for this club, and he’ll make these players do the same.”
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