12.06.2026 16:10
Aziz Yıldırım's plan from 8 years ago is coming true at Fenerbahçe. The famous technical director known as Professor Chris Van Puyvelde will become the manager of all units from the academy to the A team at the yellow-navy club.
Aziz Yıldırım, who has returned to the presidency of Fenerbahçe, has initiated a historic move that will completely overhaul the club's football structure. Aiming to build a sustainable, corporate, and permanent system in the yellow-navy blue club, Yıldırım is preparing to bring one of the most respected names in world football to Turkey.
HE WILL BE THE SOLE BOSS OF FOOTBALL
According to the news in Türkiye Newspaper; Chris Van Puyvelde, known as the architect who created the golden generation of Belgian football and nicknamed "The Professor" in the football world, will be Fenerbahçe's new football mind. The Belgian football man, who is planned to serve as the fully authorized football director at the yellow-navy blue club, will manage all football units of the club, from the infrastructure academy to the A team, under a single authority.
AN 8-YEAR UNFINISHED STORY
This move actually means the realization of a major project that Aziz Yıldırım has been pursuing from the past. Yıldırım had already shaken hands with Van Puyvelde on everything before the presidential election in June 2018, and had even rented a house in Istanbul for the experienced football man and signed an official contract. However, with Ali Koç winning the election and appointing Damien Comolli as sporting director, this major project was shelved.