Galatasaray parts ways with veteran manager Fatih Terim

ISTANBUL

Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim holds the ball during their Champions League match against Real Madrid. Terim and the club of his heart have parted ways on Sept. 24. REUTERS photo

Fatih Terim's third spell as manager of Galatasaray has come to a shock end, with the club deciding to part ways with the veteran manager following a board meeting on Sept. 24.

Terim, who achieved a legendary status with the club of his heart, had taken the helm of the Turkish national team for the third time last month, replacing Abdullah Avcı ahead of four critical World Cup qualification matches. He was set to job-share as manager of both the national team and Galatasaray.

The board's decision was taken after Terim and board members held a two-hour meeting at the Türk Telekom Arena on the afternoon of Sept. 24. Terim's departure has been confirmed Galatasaray spokesperson Şükrü Ergün.

"Our board committee has decided to cancel the contract of the manager of our football club, Fatih Terim, after a unanimity of votes," the club said in a later statement, emphasizing that Terim had rejected a two-year extension proposal on his contract, which had been due to end in June 2014.

"The latest developments came to the point of threatening to damage Galatasaray's values, which are the basis of its sporting success. Our board committee is responsible above all for protecting and transmitting these values to future generations," the statement said.

"As a requisite of this responsibility and with the aim of preventing our club from being [damaged], our board has decided to inform Terim about the canceling of the contract with unanimity," it said, while thanking the veteran manager for his service in his spell in charge, which was crowned with two league titles.

"With the hope that the decision is propitious for our company, our club and Mr. Terim. We want to have it known that his successes with the national squad will honor the entire club," it said.

Club chairman, Ünal Aysal, had said earlier on Sept. 24 that they wanted to make a decision in the best interests of both the club and the national team. "A decision is needed so Terim can work comfortably," Aysal said.

Former Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes, who publicly announced his retirement, as well as Italians Roberto Mancini and Roberto Di Matteo, are being mentioned in the Turkish press as possible replacements.

Supporters protest decision

Terim was directing a training session at the club's facilities when the decision was made public. As the news filtered out, dozens of supporters reportedly gathered in front of the training facilities to protest the decision, calling on the board to resign.

Aysal confirmed that "some communication problems" had arisen between himself and the manager.

Terim, nicknamed "The Emperor," had previously said he would not quit Galatasaray "unless Galatasaray quits him."

During his third spell, Terim lifted a team who had finished eighth in the 2010-2011 Super League campaign to become champions in his first year in charge.

Last year was marked with the blockbuster transfers of Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba. The team also enjoyed a successful European spell, reaching the quarter-finals of Champions League, only eliminated by Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Last week, the same Real Madrid inflicted one of Galatasaray's worst ever European defeats in Champions League group stage, with a 6-1 rout in Istanbul.

After three consecutive draws, the Lions defeated leaders Beşiktaş 2-1 over the weekend at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, in a game suspended in injury time after the pitch was invaded by dozens of supporters.