Fatih Tekke's surprising answer to the question 'What would you want to do if you weren't a footballer?'

03.07.2026 23:01

Trabzonspor's Technical Director Fatih Tekke made important statements in a special interview with A Spor. The coach honestly evaluated both the team's situation and the difficulties they face. Tekke also surprised his fans by revealing the profession he would have pursued if he were not a footballer.

Süper Lig giant Trabzonspor's Technical Director Fatih Tekke made important statements in an exclusive interview with A Spor.

''THE PROBLEM OF TURKISH FOOTBALL''

Fatih Tekke, addressing the demands of foreign players coming to Turkey, said, 'A player who knows how to walk now asks for at least 3-5 million extra to come to Turkey. If they earn 1 abroad, they demand at least 3 times the salary they receive from Turkey, sometimes 5 times... This is not just Trabzonspor's problem, but the problem of Turkish football as a whole.'

''WE COULD HAVE SURPASSED G.SARAY AND F.BAHÇE''

Expressing satisfaction with last season's performance, Tekke stated, 'We could have surpassed Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. We gave that feeling. This happened in one year by doing the right things when nobody expected it. Perhaps it should have taken three years. This momentum must not be interrupted.'

If you were not a footballer what would you do

''DON'T DO THIS TO US''

Reacting to Trabzonspor being placed in the same category as big clubs, Tekke said, 'We haven't lost our minds to the point of not understanding what the expectations are at Trabzonspor. There is no problem here. I say this: let's stop defining us by comparing us to others. Our situation is not that. We are not at that level. We cannot afford to pay 100-150 million Euros for a single player. We cannot pay an annual salary of 10-15 million Euros to a player. Don't do this to us.'

CITY AND FAN SUPPORT

Tekke also noted that the city's support for the team fell below expectations, emphasizing that they wanted to feel the 'You are one of us' sentiment more strongly.

''I WOULD HAVE BEEN A SHEPHERD IN THE MOUNTAINS''

Responding sincerely to the question 'What would you have done if you weren't a footballer?', the experienced coach said, 'I would have been a shepherd in the mountains.'