Domenec Torrent, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant during his time as Barcelona coach, has been named Galatasaray’s next coach, according to club President Burak Elmas.
On Monday, the Lions parted ways with veteran coach Fatih Terim, and Torrent was thought to be heading to Istanbul.
Between 2008 and 2018, the 59-year-old Spaniard served as an assistant coach at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, as well as temporarily coaching Flamengo in Brazil in 2020.
Fans chastised Galatasaray’s management for their secret attempt to oust Terim, despite inconsistent statements from club administrators.
The administration was first supposed to be seeking for an assistant to help Terim’s technical team, but it turned out that they were really trying to replace Terim himself.
President Elmas admitted during the press conference that Fatih Terim was unaware of the administration’s efforts to find him a better assistant, despite another member of the administration, Iştan Gün, claiming that Terim was aware of the club’s efforts to find him a better assistant during a YouTube broadcast on the Spor Gecesi Digital channel.
Furthermore, Terim refuted President Elmas’ allegation that they agreed to finish his tenure by mutual accord.
Experienced sports journalist Ibrahim Seten said in a report that he talked to Fatih Terim, who said he did not want to leave his position.
“I did not leave through mutual consent, they fired me,” Terim reportedly said.
“Compensation is out of question. It cannot be,” he also said, underlining that he will not take a penny from the club that he devoted his life to.
Galatasaray fans frustrated with the administration’s move to fire Fatih Terim flocked to his home in Istanbul on the same day, calling for the resignation of Burak Elmas administration.