09.12.2024 23:11
Galatasaray's head coach Okan Buruk made noteworthy statements during a program he attended. Buruk said about Jose Mourinho, "He already has this side. He has used this strategy in all the countries he has worked in. He spoke for me and for Galatasaray as well. This is his strategy; sometimes you just have to laugh it off."
```html
Galatasaray Head Coach Okan Buruk answered questions from Merve Toy on Rafine TV. Buruk made striking statements about Fenerbahçe Head Coach Jose Mourinho.
"THE TARGET IS EUROPE"
Okan Buruk's statements are as follows;
"This is my 3rd season, I have 2 championships. This year we also have a dream of Europe, we aim to have a successful season in Europe. It's nice to live with that dream. You never know if it will happen or not, but looking at the investments made, the goals should be around here, for all 3 Turkish clubs.
"I WANT TO WORK IN EUROPE"
I have a contract with Galatasaray for 2 more years, winning 2 more championships in these 2 years is my short-term goal. First, we have the target of the 5th star, I want to be the head coach who achieves that. Also, playing in a final in Europe and experiencing that is very important. In the long term, I want to work in Europe. I would like to work as a Turkish coach in important European leagues like the Premier League or Serie A. Many of our Turkish players are making a name for themselves in Europe. Maybe if Turkish coaches go to Europe, it would be nice for me. One day in the future, I would like to work in a different league. I worked in Italy for 3 years as a player, it taught me a lot. It would be a pride for every Turk if I could do this. We feel proud when watching Arda and Hakan. This has happened before, we experienced it with Fatih Terim and Mustafa Denizli. I believe Nuri Şahin will be successful, it's just his first year. I think the Premier League is ahead of all European leagues, and its revenues are very high. Since I speak Italian, Serie A might be closer to me.
FENERBAHÇE PLAYED BETTER THAN MANU
Recently, we played against a Premier League team, and we saw what we could do against them. I think Fenerbahçe was the superior side in the match against Manchester United. I believe we showed that we can play head-to-head. Last year and this year.
"THE GAME STOPS A LOT HERE"
Some matches in our league are nice, while some are not enjoyable, of course. Especially when watching our opponents' matches, you feel excitement for them to lose points. Looking at this year, when watching Göztepe. They are a very fast and athletic team, their matches are lively. Similarly, Samsunspor is the surprise team of this season. Eyüpspor is also doing good things with Arda. There are many factors here. The pitches in the Premier League are incredible; you can't achieve that in Turkey. Also, the perspective of the coaches towards the game is important; many teams here try to slow down the game. We played the Bodrum match last time, and the ball was in play for 21 minutes in the first 45 minutes. The referees stopping the game a lot also reduces the enjoyment of the game.
"SAYING 'YOU WON WITH THE REFEREE' IS DISRESPECTFUL"
We talk about the referee in our country even if nothing happens. It will probably always be talked about; we can't prevent that. I think it's a disrespect to the effort, for every team. That's the heaviest part. You train every day, play two matches a week, you're away from your family, and you go through so many difficulties. Then suddenly they say, 'You won thanks to the referee, you became champions.' This is a huge disrespect, and I'm not saying this for myself. It's the same for every team. In a league where so much effort is put in, and in the world, it's unfair to disregard people's efforts. If we can fix social media a bit, we can actually fix everything. It seems like that place is out of control; everyone is doing something against the other team. The winner's rights must always be given. There are always excuses, always excuses, always excuses.
MERTENS' FUTURE
We said the same thing last year; we extended it for another year (laughing). Sometimes players want to continue for another year. After the season ends, these things will become clear. The decision he will make at the end of the season is important, and of course, you prepare for that. We definitely need to have a preparation.
"THE 2000 SQUAD IS BETTER"
- Is the 2000 squad better? The current squad?
2000. Since I played there, it leans a bit towards that.
WILL OSIMHEN STAY NEXT YEAR?
The Osimhen issue is early. Some time needs to pass, but our intention is clear. Galatasaray always does its best to keep players. Our president and management will do their best, for sure. But it's early; we need to go without confusing the player and focus on football. What I like most is that he is a team player. He passes the ball in one-on-one situations, which is one of the valuable things for me. He comes back to defend and retrieves the ball. I didn't think he would take ownership of the team this much.
"HIGH POINTS WILL REMAIN AGAIN"
Every match is potentially a loss. We try to win every match and not lose. Not having the luxury of losing increases the points tally, of course. I expect a league this year with high numbers of victories and points.
- Can we say there is a problem with the full-backs in Galatasaray?
There has always been (laughing). We have played many players there. This season, we made the transfers of Jelert and Jakobs. Jakobs has pleased us except for some minor injuries. Jelert is an investment we made that will contribute to us in the future; we are using him over time. I am looking for solutions according to the players we have, and we have always found solutions.
"WE HAVE RAISED THE BAR HIGH"
The hardest season was the one I came to. Building a team, new players. In the second season, we struggled because the expectations were higher. Every time you lose points, it feels like you have lost 15 points. Right now, everyone is perfectionist; Galatasaray must always win and play well. The only difficulty right now is that we have set the bar high. The fan base is not used to unhappiness.
MUSLERA'S WORDS
We need to have a preparation according to the decision Muslera will make. But for a fit, hardworking, and professional goalkeeper, age doesn't matter. For example, Buffon retired at 42. Muslera's decision will be important.
"WE NEED TO LAUGH OFF MOURINHO"
- When there is a constant tension, Mourinho has adapted to Turkish football.
On the contrary. He already has this side. He has used this strategy in all the countries he has worked in. He talked for me and for Galatasaray. This is his strategy; sometimes you need to laugh it off. The important thing is that such an important figure is in Turkey.
"WE SHOULD NOT FIGHT"
That's my nature; I'm a calm person, but I have made mistakes too. I like to focus on the match when we go out to play. We shook hands with Mourinho before the match, hugged after the match, and it was over. That's how it should be. If coaches fight among themselves, the situation goes elsewhere. Sometimes you can give emotional responses. Your reactions after the match are sometimes not correct. There are matches where you might need to wait 1-2 days to make a statement. You shouldn't deceive people; maybe I have done that too, I don't know. The right thing is to be able to comment on the match.
MUSLERA'S STATEMENT ABOUT MOURINHO
If you are making a statement, there will be a response to that.
```
Mourinho also recently responded to our Metin Öztürk. I don't see Muslera's response to Mourinho as a wrong thing.
ARDA, KENAN, HAKAN
- Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. If you could take one, which one would you want to see in your team?
I would like to have all three. It has nothing to do with need; if we can get all of them, we will evolve accordingly and switch to a different system.
"ICARDI MADE PEOPLE GALATASARAY FANS"
Icardi significantly increased the number of Galatasaray fans and its community. He made children love football. I see in schools; there are those who became Galatasaray fans for Icardi. I think the ratings of football have increased a lot. I believe Icardi had a significant impact on this; his presence was very important for us. We will miss his absence, which will be about a 6-month process. However, we have very important players in our hands. Icardi was a very important character, and we will miss him.
"ERDEN TİMUR WAS AN IMPORTANT FIGURE"
Erden Timur is an important figure; of course, the transition process is challenging. However, we are all temporary; Galatasaray has always been successful. We are here to serve. No one will stay here permanently; it is a temporary duty for all of us. We are still in contact with Erden Timur. Our president and new management do whatever we want; creating a good environment and a good squad is the success of the president and the management.