 Senol Günes Nationality: Türkiye  Birth Date: 01 June 1952 |
Türkiye have qualified for a FIFA World Cup(tm) finals for only the second time in their history. Their one previous appearance was in 1954, in Switzerland. Current coach Senol Gunes' feat was met with a mixture of jubilation and relief after the country's painful 48-year absence from the world's premier international tournament. His side finished as runners-up behind Sweden in European qualifying Group 4, which meant a two-legged play-off against Austria. Gunes' men enjoyed two wins, managing to pull off an impressive 1-0 win in Vienna before resoundingly completing the job with a 5-0 demolition in the return game in Istanbul. Gunes took over the reigns of the Turkish national side in the months preceding the European Championships in Belgium/Holland, replacing Mustafa Denizli at the helm, the latter having been appointed coach of Fenerbahce. Türkiye had a wonderful tournament with the new man taking them all the way to the quarter-finals. The coach's contract was consequently extended and both the media and supporters applauded the decision. The honeymoon period has turned sour of late, however, with Gunes criticising the fans flailing support during the past few months as compared with interest generated by the domestic league. Gunes spent the first 12 years of his playing career at the amateur club of Erdogdu Genclick, distinguishing himself as a very talented goalkeeper. He then signed professional forms with Trabzonspor, to whom he remained loyal for 15 seasons, winning the league championship six times as well as lifting the Turkish Cup on no fewer than five occasions. He eventually called it a day shortly after his 45th birthday. Trabzonspor was his first stop as a coach, before successful spells with Boluspor, Istanbulspor AS and Sakaryaspor. Taking the backbone of his players from the all-conquering Galatasaray side that won the 2000 UEFA Cup and European Super Cup, the former keeper will be eager to replicate the form shown at Euro 2000 and during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Staying faithful to a tried and trusted 3-5-2 formation with Hakan Sukur as the main striking threat, Gunes hopes to continue the huge strides made by Turkish football in Korea/Japan where the opposition comes in the shape of China, Brazil and Costa Rica in Group C. "If we play to the best of our ability and show our fighting spirit, then we can progress to the second round," Gunes says. |
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