Galatasaray to replace coach Riekerink with Igor Tudor: Report

ISTANBUL

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Galatasaray’s board has decided to replace coach Jan Olde Riekerink with Igor Tudor of Croatia, according to media reports.

The reports said the Istanbul club and Tudor, who coached Spor Toto Super League side Karabükspor, agreed on a one-and-a-half year contract.

Calls for Riekerink’s dismissal grew after Galatasaray lost 2-1 at home to Kayserispor on Feb. 12 to remain in third place in the standings, five points behind leader Beşiktaş and three points behind surprise package Başakşehir.

Larrys Mabiala and Levent Gülen scored one goal each in the first half for the visiting side, with the home side’s consolidation goal coming from Eren Derdiyok one minute from the final whistle.  

Galatasaray chairman Dursun Özbek on Feb. 13 attempted to calm the situation.

“Yesterday’s result disappointed all of us, but we should recover immediately,” he said at a press conference.

“Galatasaray is still in the title race. There may be mistakes, but that will not stop us working for success.”
Özbek called for “unity in the Galatasaray community.” 

“Galatasaray is a united whole with its players, executives and supporters. Nothing has been lost yet; I call on our community to unite. I believe the results will be good for Galatasaray,” he said.

Tudor will be the sixth manager to take charge of the Istanbul club since 2014.