09.03.2026 11:22
Technical director Engin Fırat, who also served as an assistant coach at Fenerbahçe for a period, passed away due to a heart attack he suffered at Istanbul Airport.
Experienced coach Engin Fırat, who managed numerous teams both in Turkey and abroad, passed away at the age of 55 due to a heart attack he suffered at Istanbul Airport while returning to his country from Lebanon. Fırat's body will be buried after the funeral prayer, which will be held following the noon prayer in Göynük, Kemer District of Antalya, tomorrow.
HE HAD ALSO WORKED AT FENERBAHÇE
Engin Fırat's coaching career began in 2002 when he served as an assistant to Werner Lorant at Fenerbahçe. He was part of the sidelines during the 6-0 victory in the Galatasaray derby. After Fenerbahçe, Fırat went to Germany, where he worked again with Lorant at LR Ahlen, and later took roles at teams like Incheon United and Sivasspor in South Korea. Fırat, who worked at Saipa FC and Sepahan clubs in Iranian football, also played an important role in the Iranian National Team as an assistant to the legendary figure of Iranian football, Ali Daei. In 2019, Fırat was appointed as the head coach of the Moldova National Team and managed 21 matches with the Kenya National Team between 2021 and 2024. Most recently, Engin Fırat signed a contract with Nejmeh SC, one of Lebanon's most important clubs, on February 8, 2026.