Report: Aziz Yıldırım Wants Nagelsmann as Fenerbahçe's Search for a New Head Coach Continues

Fenerbahçe's search for a new head coach continues apace following the club's parting of ways with İsmail Kartal. The Yellow-Navy Blues' board is weighing several options for the man who will take charge of the team. Top-level coaches such as Vincenzo Montella, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann are among the candidates, while the board is said to be divided over whether to appoint a Turkish or a foreign coach. Aziz Yıldırım, meanwhile, is claimed to be particularly keen on seeing German coach Nagelsmann at the helm.

According to reports, one part of the board is pushing for an agreement with a foreign coach who knows Turkish football well, while the other side favours appointing a Turkish coach given that the season is already well under way.

Report: Nagelsmann is Aziz Yıldırım's preferred choice

According to press reports, Julian Nagelsmann is one of the most prominent names on Fenerbahçe's radar. The club has made no official statement on the matter. Aziz Yıldırım is said to want the 39-year-old coach personally, while Manchester United and RB Leipzig are also reported to be interested in the German.

Vincenzo Montella, Antonio Conte and Stefano Pioli are also in the pool of foreign candidates. Montella stands out because of his familiarity with Turkish football, though a possible coaching change at Napoli could directly affect the Italian's situation, according to reports. The annual salary of 16 million euros that Conte is rumoured to be demanding, meanwhile, makes that move very difficult financially.

Claims of a comprehensive presentation from Abdullah Avcı

Abdullah Avcı and Emre Belözoğlu lead the Turkish alternatives. Avcı is claimed to have presented the club's board with a comprehensive report and, in the meeting, to have emphasised the goal of winning the title rather than the length of the contract or financial terms.

Emre Belözoğlu, currently in charge of Kasımpaşa, is reported not to have received an official offer yet and to be happy in his current role. The Aykut Kocaman option could also come back onto the agenda, according to reports.

A critical spell for Dirk Kuyt

The Fenerbahçe board, unwilling to rush into appointing a new head coach, has parted ways not only with İsmail Kartal but also with his 9-member coaching staff. The team has been entrusted to Dirk Kuyt on an interim basis, and the results the Dutchman achieves in the Göztepe, Liverpool and Çorum FK matches before the international break will play a decisive role in his future.