22.10.2026 14:42
TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu explained why he preferred Sergen Yalçın for the Turkish National Team. “Sergen Yalçın was not on any of the lists in the press; I said, perhaps the virtue is here,” Hacıosmanoğlu said, adding that he trusted Yalçın’s manliness, uprightness, and football intelligence.
TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, speaking at the signing ceremony held for the new head coach of the National Football Team, Sergen Yalçın, thanked Vincenzo Montella. Hacıosmanoğlu said, “Let’s not deny Vincenzo Montella his due. He achieved successes during his tenure, and I thank him.”
Stating that they could also opt for a foreign head coach, the TFF President explained the decision to appoint Sergen Yalçın and his expectations for the new era.
“WOULDN’T HE HAVE BEEN LISTED EVEN IN 6TH OR 7TH PLACE?”
Hacıosmanoğlu, saying that during the head coach search he looked at the candidate lists prepared in the press, drew attention to the fact that Yalçın was not included in these lists.
Hacıosmanoğlu said, “The entire press drew up head coach candidates. I looked at all the lists, but Sergen Yalçın was nowhere at all… There must be something to this, I suppose… Fine, you didn’t put him in 1st or 2nd… couldn’t he have been listed in 6th or 7th place either?”
“A MAN WHO CAN SCORE A BASKET WITH HIS FOOT”
Emphasizing that he trusts both Sergen Yalçın’s character and his football knowledge, Hacıosmanoğlu said, “I trust his integrity and football intelligence. As you know, he is a man who can score a basket with his foot. I think he will succeed by acting both as a coach and as an older brother figure.”
Also conveying Yalçın’s approach to the job, the TFF President said that the experienced head coach had told him, “This pride is enough for me! I will work even harder.”
“HE MUST SHOW WHO HE IS BY WORKING HARD”
Hacıosmanoğlu, stating that he has known Yalçın since his youth years when he played for Beşiktaş during the Süleyman Seba era, also touched upon the comments directed at the head coach.
Hacıosmanoğlu said, “There is no one who can speak about his football intelligence. There are those who speak about him. He himself must show who he is by working hard.” He stated that their duty as the federation is to provide the conditions in which the coaching staff can work comfortably off the pitch.
HE TURNED TO SERGEN YALÇIN AND ASKED
At the end of his speech, when Hacıosmanoğlu turned to Sergen Yalçın and said, “My brother, did I say it right?”, the experienced coach replied, “We need everyone. We are aware of our responsibility.”
“WE ARE USED TO CRITICISM, WE ARE TRAINED FOR IT”
Also speaking about the criticism that could be directed at him, Yalçın said, “There will be criticism; we are used to it. We will do what we know and what we believe is right. We shouldn’t speak too early; we will see what happens.”
Stating that his plans and goals will become apparent over time, the National Team’s new head coach said, “We are used to criticism; we are trained for it. That part won’t be much of a problem.”