After earning just six points in its first four matches of the Turkish Süper Lig season, Galatasaray fired manager Fatih Terim on Tuesday after a vote from the board of directors. Terim also recently took the Turkish national team job, where he has had more recent success.
His first two games in charge of Turkey were a 5-0 win against Andorra and a 2-0 win at Romania to take over third place in the group with two matches remaining. Things haven’t been quite so rosy on the club front, as Gala lost 6-1 to Real Madrid in the first UEFA Champions League group game, following three straight league draws.
Although he is only the interim coach of the national team, Galatasaray became suspicious of Terim, 60, when he was unwilling to sign a two-year extension with the club in conjunction with the national team deal, which expires in May.
“In spite of the decision of the Galatasaray Sports Club and the Board of Directors to extend the term of the contract with Fatih Terim for two more years as of May 2014, when Mr. Terim has rejected the offer, the board has instead decided to terminate the contract between him and the club,” the club said in a press release. “We would like to thank Mr. Terim for all his services and wish him all the best in his future career.”
Terim’s firing brings to a close his third stint in charge of Galatasaray. He won six Süper Lig titles, a UEFA Cup, two Turkish Cups and two Super Cups with the club.
(MORE: Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim named Turkey head coach)
Reports out of England have linked Roberto Mancini and Roberto Di Matteo with the opening. The Daily Mail reported Mancini as a possibility on Tuesday, while The Independent’s report on Thursday mentions Di Matteo as a primary target for a two-year deal in Istanbul.
Sunderland has also been linked with Di Matteo in recent days after firing Paolo di Canio as manager following another defeat last weekend.