17.07.2024 23:40
Ergin Ataman, who won the championship with Panathinaikos in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, made controversial statements about his tensions with Fenerbahçe. Ataman, who said "I will do everything within the fair play rules to become a champion," used the expression "The only thing I did to Fenerbahçe was to beat them and take the cup. Thankfully, it has always been like this so far." The experienced head coach also added that his goal is to become the president of Galatasaray Club.
Ergin Ataman, who won the championship with Panathinaikos in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, made striking statements. Ataman, while stating that his goal is to become the president of Galatasaray, spoke very clearly about the tensions he experienced with Fenerbahçe.
"FENERBAHÇE DOESN'T WANT ME" Ataman, expressing that he will not receive an offer from Fenerbahçe, said, "Fenerbahçe club will never come to me, so there is no point in talking about it."
"I DO EVERYTHING WITHIN FAIR PLAY" Ergin Ataman also spoke about the tensions he experienced with Fenerbahçe:
"Once again, I have to say that I have no reaction towards any community. My reaction is towards a minority group of provocateurs. We experienced this in Berlin as well. My reaction is towards them. I have played many matches at Ülker Arena. I have never had a collective reaction towards Fenerbahçe fans. Sometimes you protest to the referee or if there is someone who insults you individually throughout the match, you tell the security. But it has never been collective. Because I can understand that, you are opponents and the fans are trying to demoralize you. Unjustly, they criticize me for something that has nothing to do with the series we turned around from 2-0. You explain this many times but it doesn't change for them. Right now, they are probably bored because Ergin Ataman is not there. Because they get more excited when they see me there. Now I see them saying 'We beat Efes, we became champions, everything is great' on social media. Of course, it's nice to be a champion, but when you can't be a champion, then I am the one who receives the reaction. As an opposing team coach, I will do everything within fair play rules to become a champion. That's why most people don't like me."
"WHAT I DO IS BEAT FENERBAHÇE" They say to me, 'Coach, why are you doing this to Fenerbahçe?' The only thing I do to Fenerbahçe is to beat them and win the cup. Thank God, it has always been like this until now. In most of the important matches, my team has been the winner. When that happens, they get angry at you, but when this anger is exaggerated by some provocateurs, then I react, I am also that kind of person, but my reaction is not towards communities. Unfortunately, some managers try to manage their clubs through social media and when they create a reaction against you to look good on social media, this cycle grows even more. I say it again, I stand behind my words. I have no reaction towards the Fenerbahçe community."
"I WANT TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF GALATASARAY" Ergin Ataman, who stated that his goal is to become the president of Galatasaray Club, said, "We have faced Fenerbahçe many times in basketball. My goal is to face them on a club basis one day. My goal is to become the president of Galatasaray Club when I retire from basketball coaching. They know this too. They will never come to me with an offer. If I have such a plan ethically, I shouldn't go to the biggest rival. That's a fact. That's why I'm not saying I won't go to Fenerbahçe, I'm saying Fenerbahçe won't come to me. Besides, I'm not in Turkey anymore, I'm in Athens. Fate still brought us face to face in the Final Four."