11.02.2026 19:11
Kocaelispor fans prepared a birthday surprise that left Selçuk İnan astonished. Fans arriving by boats from the coast to the restaurant where İnan was having dinner with his family celebrated his birthday by saying, "Not everyone gets the chance to be the coach of Kocaelispor at 41 years old," and cut a green and black cake. It was observed that İnan initially did not react to the moment, thinking that a marriage proposal was being made.
Kocaelispor's head coach Selçuk İnan turned 41 yesterday (Tuesday). İnan, who gathered with his family at a restaurant in Istanbul to celebrate his birthday, was surprised by a group of Kocaelispor fans.
UNFORGETTABLE SURPRISE FOR SELÇUK İNAN
A group of about 30 fans approached the restaurant by boats from the sea and chanted slogans with torches. Selçuk İnan, who was led to believe that the organization was a marriage proposal for another couple, experienced great astonishment when he recognized the fans, banners, and slogans with the guidance of his wife.
HE TURNED 41 AT KOCAELİSPOR
Kocaelispor Club's Organization Manager Mehmet Açık and a group of fans prepared an unforgettable memory for Selçuk İnan, who became the second person to turn 41 while coaching Kocaelispor after Güvenç Kurtar, and composed a special song for his birthday. The lyrics included, 'Selçuk İnan coach, green and black colors suit you. May your life be long, may health and joy fill it. Let the whole world hear your love for the Gulf. We believed in you, Selçuk İnan Coach. Green and black colors suit you. May your life be long, may health and joy fill it. Let the whole world hear your love for the Gulf.'
DETAILED ORGANIZATION WAS MADE
Banners and flags were prepared with messages like 'Being the coach of Kocaelispor at 41 is not something everyone gets to experience', 'Happy birthday, you were with us at 41', '41 times mashallah', while buses and boats were rented for the journey. The details of the organization were rehearsed along the way. To ensure İnan did not notice the organization early, a marriage proposal scene was prepared. Some fans disguised themselves as fishermen and took their places on the beach.
HE THOUGHT IT WAS A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, DID NOT PAY ATTENTION
While Selçuk İnan was having dinner with his family, the slogans of the Kocaelispor fan group suddenly started, and torches were lit. Initially believing it was a marriage proposal, İnan did not react. Realizing the birthday surprise with the guidance of his wife and understanding that the crowd was outside for him, Selçuk İnan stepped out of the restaurant amidst astonished looks and went to the fans.
HE EXPERIENCED A GREAT SHOCK, CUT THE CAKE ON THE BEACH
The song 'Tiryakinim' was played from the boats approaching the beach, and slogans were chanted. Selçuk İnan, who stated that it was the most beautiful surprise of his life and had tears in his eyes, experienced emotional moments. Blowing out the candles on the cake prepared in green and black colors with the fans, İnan then listened to the song composed for him. Selçuk İnan thanked the fans for the value they gave him.
'I HOPE WE WON'T BE ASHAMED'
Speaking on behalf of the fans, Mehmet Açık said, "We haven't had many coaches at 41. There was one Güvenç Kurtar. We were small back then. Now it has been granted to my coach. Our president sends his regards. We are very happy to be with you at 41. I hope for a long life and beautiful things for Kocaelispor." İnan replied, "I hope we won't be ashamed," and attended to each of his guests individually.