Following Fenerbahçe's goalless draw away against Gaziantep FK in the Super League, remarkable statements came from the former coach of the yellow-dark blue team, Ersun Yanal.
Ersun Yanal's statements are as follows:
"Fenerbahçe's shackles are not on its feet. The shackles are on the mind. Even though we do not talk about this, Fenerbahçe experiences this both physically and spiritually. Many issues other than the championship are being discussed on Fenerbahçe's own agenda today. The shackles placed on these minds have become such a problem that taking risks is a problem, courage is a problem, energy is a problem, being able to act together is a problem."
"FENERBAHÇE HAS NO COURAGE LEFT"
"I also did this job. I was exposed to brutal criticism. This is the reality of the job. We will not be angry, we will not be sad. Everyone will throw their stones at Fenerbahçe's interests. If there are things like ill-treatment, humiliation, etc., I will be the first to stand against them. Today, Fenerbahçe has no courage, if saying the game is slow hurts Fenerbahçe fans, I am sorry, I will continue to say this."
"Fenerbahçe's coach and management should protect each other. But how should they protect each other? Not after the events are over. It is necessary to protect them at the moment of the incident. Many people hit İsmail Kartal below the belt. You will support him at that moment. Fenerbahçe has very serious crises today. How can they solve them? Aziz Yıldırım is very experienced in this regard, he has managed many crises. Fenerbahçe started to lose the championship in September, not in May."
"THE CRIME IS ON İSMAİL KARTAL"
"I appreciate Aziz Yıldırım. He stands behind his coach, he did. İsmail Kartal is to blame here! Where did the resignation come from? Do you realize where you let this team go? We are talking about a €350 million team."
"I wish good luck to Aziz Yıldırım. He is in the resignation process, he is not, that is debatable. I think he is. But it is a virtue to stand up for him. The president has such bold moves. I think he threw himself into the fire, too."
"İSMAİL SHOULD HAVE LEFT THE KARTAL"
"I think the president made his move. I think İsmail Kartal should not have come. I think he should have left. He also threw the president into the well. I think the president does not deserve this, apart from the election of İsmail Kartal. He is currently at the top of those who do not deserve this consumption. I resent this team being dragged into this chaotic environment."
"I have always underlined that İsmail Kartal should be supported to the end. There are those who approach him in a vile, bad and unpleasant way. I condemn him! They are doing wrong. I am ashamed. They think I am making a program by doing this."
"İSMAİL SUPPORTS KARTAL"
"The year we became champions, I was defeated 3-2 in Konya after losing 2-0 in '76. But I said, 'This team will be champions, this team will not be in this situation from now on.' And the whole team united and stood up. Aziz Yıldırım came and made a speech. 'Your coaching career will end, and your football life will end. I am dealing with the courts regarding July 3. Come to your senses!' he said. "We came out, got together, hit and passed."
"Aziz Yıldırım went to prison for Fenerbahçe. He has done a lot. I underline that I think he will continue to support İsmail Kartal until the end. And if you are working with Aziz Yıldırım, you cannot go. Aziz Yıldırım will send them. I hope they will be successful and he will continue with his Fenerbahçe coach without any need. Aziz Yıldırım is a dominant president with this character."
"This story, Aziz Yıldırım, but the coach needs to make the players believe. He opens the fixture and says, 'We will make it 4 out of 4 and then we will go and beat Galatasaray away, we will win that match and be the biggest candidate for the championship!' They have to say."
"I WILL NOT WORK WITH AZIZ YILDIRIM"
QUESTION: "You made a statement about working with Aziz Yıldırım, but 'If there is a change in management, can we see him at the head of Fenerbahçe?' Is it persistently asked?
Ersun Yanal: "Fenerbahçe Congress must do everything on time and properly. Mr. Aziz is very experienced. He is a leader who can be effective with the decisions he makes. What is important when making a choice is the values of the place to be served. Me and Mr. Aziz know Fenerbahçe's values very well. Neither he nor I would risk harming these values by working together. I personally won't buy it. "Apart from this work, if Fenerbahçe needs any other support, I can do it."
