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Fenerbahce coach Kocaman resigns
23 Dec 2012 1:40:00 AM
After defeat to Karabukspor, he has stepped down as head of the Turkish club following a 2012-13 season characterised by player conflict and unimpressive results
Aykut Kocaman has resigned as Fenerbahce boss as pressure from fans mounted following defeat to Karabukspor this Saturday.The defeat was the final straw for the outgoing head coach, after defeat to archrivals Galatasaray last weekend, and with the club lying in fourth at the full-time whistle.
The former Turkey international addressed the press following a 3-1 loss, stating: "First of all, I want to congratulate our opponent Karabukspor. We predicted danger, but could not manage to deal with."
The coach criticised his team's inability to counter the opposition's quick play, suggesting the warning he issued his players did not show itself during the action.
"I warned players about the fast play of Karabukspor," he said. "Sometimes, no matter how much you talk, you are not prepared."
Touching on his legacy with the club, Kocaman described his coaching role at Fenerbahce as the pinnacle of his career, but admitted the toils of the position proved too demanding for him.
"As a former Fenerbahce player, being a coach in this team is the top of my coaching carrier. After two and a half years, I could not find enough strength to continue.
"I struggled too much and I can not carry on anymore. Thanks to everyone."
The struggles described by Kocaman include elimination from the Champion's League play-off round at the hands of Spartak Moscow; a falling out with Brazilian attacking midfielder and Fenerbahce fan favourite Alexsandro de Souza; and a reported resignation attempt denied by the board as recently as September 2012.
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