Avci leaves, Turkish Fed approaches Terim

ANKARA: Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim is being lined up for a return to the national team fold after Turkey coach Abdullah Avci left his post, the Dogan news agency said on Wednesday.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed Avci had left his job in a statement on its website which read: “Abdullah Avci has left the national team by mutual agreement following negotiations. We thank Mr Avci for his work.”

Avci took over the role in November 2011 but has paid for a poor World Cup qualification campaign that has left the team fourth in Group D.

Turkey have seven points after six games, a long way behind runaway leaders Holland, on a maximum 18 points, and four points behind second placed Hungary, who are currently in the play-off spot.

With four games left they will have a hard job overhauling both Hungary and Romania, who are three points ahead.

According to Dogan, the TFF has already opened talks with Terim, one of the most successful coaches in Turkish history, who is in his third spell with Gala.

Known as the Emperor in his homeland, he previously coached Turkey from 1993 to 1996 and then again from 2005 to 2009.

He has won six Turkish league titles with Gala and led them to the UEFA Cup crown in 2000, beating Arsenal on penalties in the final. — AFP