Emre Belözoğlu Takes Charge as Head Coach of MKE Ankaragücü Football Club

Turkish football club MKE Ankaragücü has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Emre Belözoğlu as their new technical director. The celebrated former professional footballer and manager, known as one of Turkey's most influential football personalities, has taken over the helm of the club.

Belözoğlu’s Arrival at MKE Ankaragücü

The change in leadership was marked by a signing ceremony at the Eryaman Stadium. MKE Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca expressed his satisfaction with Belözoğlu’s decision to join the team, marking the first time in his career that Belözoğlu has committed to a team outside of Istanbul. The contract signed is set for two years, but Koca emphasized that the duration is secondary to Belözoğlu's success in serving the club.

Aiming for European Matches

Both Koca and Belözoğlu have expressed their ambition for the club to play in the European matches at the new 19 May Stadium. Belözoğlu reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his delight at joining MKE Ankaragücü, a club known for its rich history and dedicated fan base. He pledged to elevate the team to the level it deserves, aligning with the club's ambitions.

Praising the Predecessor and Future Aspirations

Belözoğlu had words of praise for his predecessor, Tolunay Kafkas, acknowledging the strong team he left behind. His ambition extends to playing in European cups and he expressed confidence in the current team and its leadership.

Belözoğlu’s Promising Career

Belözoğlu’s distinguished career in football includes impressive stints as a player and a manager. He kickstarted his football journey with Galatasaray’s youth ranks, making his senior debut at a tender age of 16. His career includes playing for renowned clubs like Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Fenerbahçe, Atlético Madrid, and İstanbul Başakşehir. As a national team player, he earned over 100 caps for Turkey between 2000 and 2019, contributing to the team’s semi-finals appearances at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008. His extraordinary performances earned him a spot in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers, announced as a part of FIFA’s centenary celebrations.