New head coach of Turkey's football team aims to build stellar roster

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Stefan Kuntz, the new head coach of the Turkish national football team, wants to create a lineup that the whole country can be proud of, he said Monday during a signing ceremony in Istanbul for his contract.

Kuntz, 58, said he is full of positive energy, noting he will prepare quickly for the World Cup qualifier match against Norway.

Speaking about his career journey, he said "I spent an incredible year with Besiktas. I think I left Turkey too early, as we were treated with great hospitality."

The German manager believes that together with the Turkish fans, he will celebrate the team’s successes again by proudly looking at the Turkish flag again.

"It will be pleasant to talk about victories. Thank you for your trust in me," Kuntz said.

- Place at 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Also at the ceremony, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Nihat Ozdemir invited the entire country to unite around the national team in its remaining four matches, especially the one against Norway

"We will succeed together so that the national team will participate in the World Cup after 20 years, he said. "Hopefully, we will be able to do this."

Hamit Altintop, a board member of the federation, said they trust the German coach and believe that Kuntz will be successful in his second journey with Turkey.

Turkey hired Kuntz to replace Senol Gunes, whose contract was ended by mutual consent in the wake of poor results.

Kuntz previously coached Germany’s Under-21 team.

As a player, he made appearances for Turkey's Besiktas from 1995 to 1996 and Germany's VfL Bochum and Arminia Bielefeld.