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Ok guys, first attempt at a story so bear with me!
"And if you would just like to sign here" said chairman Aziz Yildirim motioning to a solitary dotted line in a sea of ineligble Turkish words. As I put put pen to paper, hundreds of cameras exploded into life illuminating the conference room with a dazzling array of light. The past two days were a complete blur, Until now I had been a lowly scout for mid-table Premiership outfit Fulham, scouting Eastern Europe for young talent. I had arrived in Istanbul with my trip almost complete relishing the chance to get back home. However, after watching Fenerbahce's U20's trounce their local oppenents at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium I was approached by none other than the chairman Aziz Yildirim. I was whisked to one the presumably many offices in the complex, here I was told that eccentric German coach Christoph Daum had resigned with immediate effect. Yildirim then went on to say that they had been in contact with my colleagues back in England who had told him that my knowledge in spotting young talent is surpassed by few. They also informed the chairman that I had a talent for tactics and in motivating players. "So", Yildirim drawled in his thick Turk accent, "it appears I may have an oppurtunity for you"
So here I was, holding the gaudy home strip up in front of hundreds of photographers with the chairman patting me on the back enthusiastically. "And now our new manager would like to take some questions" growled Yildirim. I sat down wishing I knew what to say to the oncoming questions. "What are your ambitions for the club"? said a voice in the midst of the media frenzy. "Well I'll be looking to establish a good reputation in Europe and see if we can't go on and win a major trophy, i'd also like to bring in some quality players to help us acheive that. Pens and pencils were audible as reporters hurriedly wrote down everything. "Who is the most impressive player in your squad"? said a familiar accent, it was a BBC reporter clearly bemused at the whole turn of events. "Well I haven't met them yet but I know about Nicolas Anelka's talent but I'd have to say Sanli Tuncay is one we would to keep because he is incredibly talented". After just two questions I was hurried out and taken to a 5 star Istanbul hotel, I stumbled into the suite and collapsed on the bed and slept as soon as my head hit the pillow.
Fenerbahce SK were founded over a century ago in the province of Kadikoy in Istanbul. It was originally founded in secret as not to conflict with the strict Ottoman rule at the time, who forbade football amongst youngsters who idolized the English players pioneering the game. The club has won 14 Turkish titles and has had a whole host of managers including two Scotsmen and two Englishmen during the thirties and forties. From its legal entrance into the Turkish league in 1908 Fenrbahce have enjoyed a lot of success and hope to do so in the future.
The next morning I drove to meet the team.........
More coming........
04-06-2005, 11:59 PM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #2
After seeing the huge potential within the squad I knew that being successfull in Europe wasn't the impossible task many think it would be. A 7 million pound transfer budget was a lot more than I had hoped for. With the chairman demanding big name players and with Pierre van Hooijdonk nearing to retirement I immediately contacted Athletic Paranaense and submitted a 3.5 million pound bid for highly rated youngster Dagoberto. However the next day i learned that Dortmund had upped the ante by bidding 5.25 million. Not wanting to lose the player i bid 5.5 million immediately which was accepted much to my relief. With the limit on foreign player set at 6 i decided to place Marcio Nobre on the transfer list to not only free up some spaces but also to raise extra funds given Dagoberto's impending transfer. But first I had my first game in charge to sort out.
We travelled to Poland in reasonably bad shape, not many of the players were match fit and there was not a lot I could do having been only at the club 3 days. The weather in Krakow was awful, downpours of snow and icy winds. It was impossible for the players to acclimatize properly. The first 45 minutes were pretty open, neither team creating much until Rogowski bundled the ball over the line on 46 minutes. The second half was as un-eventful as the first with Alex coming the closest to scoring. Not the best start but it gives the players some match practise.
Final Score: Wisla 1-0 Fenerbahce
04-07-2005, 01:58 AM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #5
The conditions in France were much better suited to the players than in Poland. We dominated early on with Alex netting a sweet free kick and the slotting home after a push on Anelka from the spot. By the 25th minute we were 3-0 up, Anelka rounding the keeper for a great solo goal. Alex could of had his hat-trick before the half hour mark, hitting the upright after a superb volley. It was soon four as van Hooijdonk headed from close range. Romarantin had their say before the break with Pierre Michel scoring in bizarre fashion. Then Alex was sent off for a rash tackle, He assured me there will be no problem with his temprement afterwards and I hope he's right. The second half passed with a cool finish for Anelka's second and an injury to Fabio Luciano the only major incidents. An encouraging performance despite the gulf in class.
Final Score: Romarantin 1-5 Fenerbahce
04-07-2005, 02:30 AM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #6
Our mini tour of France concluded with a 0-0 draw at Besancon and a 2-0 win at Cannes. Next was my first home game and the final friendly of pre-season. We faced worthy opponents in the form of Club Brugge who like us were trying to establish themselves in Europe by playing Champions League football. It was a pretty modest turnout at the stadium, the dull thud of the ball being kicked reverberated around the stands. This would be a hard game with Fabio Luciano out for a month with knee damage.
The game was fairly mediocre from start to finish, possesion was slightly dominated by us but we couldn't breach the resolute defence until former Nottingham Forest man Pierre van Hooijdonk popped up on 74 minutes to cooly slot home a well placed volley to give us the win.
Final Score: Fenerbahce 1-0 Club Brugge
A pleasing result for us, the friendlies have given the lads good match practice and upped their fitness its also shown me what tactics suit the team best. Now for the league season!
04-07-2005, 02:16 PM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #7
With the league season approaching the transfer of Dagoberto has been put on hold while a buyer is found for Marcio Nobre. The bookies had mad us 2-1 to win the league behind joint favourites Besiktas and Galatasaray on 7-4. Our first league encounter was a tricky trip to the Ataturk Stadium to face Rizespor, whose manager had previously declared my slim chance of winning the championship. After Galatasaray's suprising 2-0 defeat at Trabzonspor I wanted us to get off to the best start possible.
C. Rizespor vs. Fenerbahce
All of the major action in the game came in the last 30 minutes, Anelka volleying home on 63 minutes. We had controlled possesion throughout and Rizespor never had a shot on goal in the entire 90 minutes. Anelka added a second from short range and then was denied his hat-trick, Kursat beating him to the ball and putting it past his own keeper
Final Score: C. Rizespor 0-3 Fenerbahce
A brilliant start to the league season, i hope we can keep it up throughout the season especially in the big games againt Galatasaray and Besiktas
04-07-2005, 02:54 PM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #8
With the draw for the champions league tantalisingly close I first had to concentrate on another difficult game. We were at home to Sakaryaspor, who had taken the early lead in the championship with a 4-1 win. The attendance at the Saracoglu was dissapointing, just over 22,00 people turned up to watch the game, just over half the capacity.
Fenerbahce vs. Sakaryaspor
Pierre van Hooijdonk was the star of the first half, hitting the post and buzzing around the box energetically. Unfortunately this didn't pay off and we couldn't find a breakthrough before half time. A minute after the break however, Aurelio drove a shot home from thirty yards breaking the deadlock. We continued our dominant performance thoughout the second half with van Hooijdonk converting an Alex cross and then late on Aurelio scored a carbon copy of his first to give us a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Final Score: Fenerbahce 3-0 Sakaryaspor
04-07-2005, 10:04 PM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #9
Next came the biggest game of my short career. We faced a tough trip to the Ali Sami Yen to play Galatasaray. Galatasaray hadn't enjoyed the best of starts, losing their opening two matches but they have a lot of home grown talent as well as experienced foreigners who are quite capable of winning the league. Fabio Luciano was still nursing a knee injury so Baris Deniz continued in the centre of defence.
Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce
The first Istanbul derby of the season was every bit as competetive, brutal and exciting as everyone had expected. The first half an hour of the game was tense, with neither side commiting too many men forward incase they were hit on the break. The breakthrough came on 41 minutes when van Hooijdonk was tripped on the edge of the area. Alex lined the free kick up only to dummy it left to leave Umit Ozat to drive the ball home from 20 yards. The game was made safe on 72 minutes when van Hooijdonk headed past the starnded Mondragon to make it 2-0.
Final Score: Galatasaray 0-2 Fenerbahce
A fantastic win for us, that moves us up to first putting pressure on Besiktas to repeat the result. As for Galatasary, three defeats in three games puts them down to 17th but there is plenty of time left for them to turn it around.
04-07-2005, 10:14 PM
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory Post #10
I felt a buzz of excitment as I sat amongst all the dignitaries and representatives patiently waiting for the draw. I wanted to get one of the elite teams and two other beatable teams. There was good news and bad news:
Group C
Inter
Liverpool
Lyon Fenerbahce
A really tough group! Im hoping we can maybe beat Liverpool and Lyon at home but it looks bleak even for a UEFA cup place
Fenerbahce SK - The Quest For European Glory 
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