Exclusive Interview with Fatih Terim on TRT SPOR: His Views on Football and the Future
Fatih Terim, one of the legends of Turkish football and Galatasaray, spoke in an interview with TRT SPOR about various football issues, the future of Galatasaray, and the Saudi League. In this interview, he emphasized that the championship and the fifth star belong to Galatasaray and praised the development of football in Saudi Arabia.
The Quality of the Saudi League from Fatih Terim's Perspective
The head coach of Al Shabab Saudi stated that he has been following football in this country for a long time and compared it to major European leagues:
"The Saudi League has a high level of quality. Some matches in this league are played at a fast pace, just like matches in Europe's top clubs."
He added that Saudi Arabia is striving to become one of the top 10 leagues in the world and that investments in football in this country will increase in the future.
Criticism of the Pressure on Referees
Fatih Terim addressed issues regarding refereeing in Turkish football and emphasized the need to reduce pressure on referees:
"We should not destroy our referees. In our country, everyone just complains, while we need to present practical solutions and useful projects."
He also supported the idea of using foreign referees but stressed that this should not weaken local referees.
Changes in Football Rules
Terim welcomed potential changes in football rules and stated that FIFA and UEFA are considering some revisions:
"Arsène Wenger has proposed a change to the offside rule. It is expected that these changes will increase the number of goals."
He also suggested introducing a orange card for fouls that fall between yellow and red cards.
Galatasaray and Fatih Terim’s Memories of Florya
Terim, who has spent more than 50 years of his life at Galatasaray, shared his feelings about the club:
"Galatasaray is not just a club; it is a part of my life. Florya is not just a sports facility, but a place where we created many memories."
Fatih Terim’s Opinion on Galatasaray's Ambitions
The former head coach of Galatasaray supported the team’s pursuit of the championship and its goal of achieving the fifth star:
"Galatasaray must move forward, and no one should be able to harm this club. The team must remain strong and achieve its goals with full unity."
Supporting Turkish Talents in European Football
Terim emphasized that Turkish footballers should have a stronger presence in European leagues:
"Any player who gets the chance should go to Europe without hesitation. Turkey needs to elevate its players to the international level."
He highlighted players such as Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu as major talents who can succeed in Europe.
Conclusion
In this interview, Fatih Terim provided valuable insights on football, referee management, rule changes, and the future of Galatasaray. He remains passionate about football and announced that he is ready to contribute to Turkish football at any time.
