Emre Belözoğlu ( turkish pronunciation : [ emˈɾe beˈlœzoːɫu ], born 7 September 1980 ) is a turkish erstwhile professional football player and coach who is presently serving as the coach of İstanbul Başakşehir. [ 2 ] During his playing career, he played as a midfielder. He was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers as a part of FIFA ‘s centennial celebrations announced by Pelé. [ 3 ] Although he was the Fenerbahçe football team captain known for being a Fenerbahçe fan, as a playmaker, his past clubs other than Fenerbahçe include Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Atlético Madrid and İstanbul Başakşehir. Belözoğlu was a part of the Turkey national team from 2000 to 2019, earning over 100 caps and helping the team to the semi-finals at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2008 .

Club career [edit ]

early years ( 1990–1996 ) [edit ]

Belözoğlu ‘s inhalation came from his forefather, Mehmet, who introduced him to football at the Zeytinburnuspor train ground. Belözoğlu ‘s beget, Fatma, had seen the problems that her conserve had faced through his football career, and frankincense did not want their son to become a professional football player. His father, however, urged and inspired Belözoğlu to embark on a career. The fans of Zeytinburnuspor cursorily took an matter to in him, stating his fantastic restraint of a left foot. Coach Salih Bulgurlu noticed his endowment and started giving him limited aim. Bulgurlu looked after Belözoğlu for four years, teaching him all the basic techniques, improving and harnessing his fitness and stamen dramatically. Belözoğlu was cursorily discovered by former Galatasaray caption Bülent Ünder, a finale acquaintance of Galatasaray director Fatih Terim. Bülent Ünder pleaded to Bulgurlu that Emre articulation Galatasaray : “ Wait and see. In two years, this adolescent will be playing proudly within the battlegrounds of Europe. ” [ 4 ]

Galatasaray ( 1996–2001 ) [edit ]

Belözoğlu formally became a Galatasaray player. His first gear appearance for the club ‘s senior police squad was as a sixteen-year-old in the 1996–97 season. [ 5 ] The follow year, he became a regular in the squad. once he became a regular he won four Süper Lig titles, two turkish Cups, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup wholly by the age of 21. Belözoğlu besides played in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid in April 2001.

Inter Milan ( 2001–2005 ) [edit ]

In 2001, he moved to Inter Milan for £5 million. [ 6 ] In the 2002–03 season, Belözoğlu became the 17th winner of the Pirata d’Oro (Golden Pirate), an annual award given for the Inter Milan best player of the year. Inter made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League that year, and that was a army for the liberation of rwanda as Belözoğlu would reach with the club. He gradually became out of favor at Inter ascribable to dogged injuries, and after making just nineteen appearances during the 2004–05 season, he became available for transplant. [ 5 ]

newcastle United ( 2005–2008 ) [edit ]

On 19 July 2005, Belözoğlu moved to Newcastle United on a five-year consider for a £3.8 million transfer fee. [ 6 ] He made his debut on 3 August in a 2–1 home defeat to Deportivo La Coruña in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, and 11 days late started in Newcastle ‘s first game of the Premier League season, a defeat to Arsenal. In his fourth crippled on 23 October, he set up the opening goal with a corner to Shola Ameobi, and late scored the winner with a unblock kick, in a 3–2 victory over Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear bowler hat. [ 7 ] Of 25 games in all competitions in his first season, 20 in the league, he scored fair one more goal : a long image snapshot on 5 November to defeat Birmingham City 1–0. [ 8 ] Injuries limited Belözoğlu to only 35 Premier League appearances in his subsequent two seasons at Newcastle, in which he scored three goals. On 17 January 2008, in an FA Cup replay against Stoke City, he was sent away after 29 minutes for retaliating after being fouled by John Eustace. [ 9 ]

Fenerbahçe ( 2008–2012 ) [edit ]

In July 2008, Belözoğlu was unveiled at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, the traditional homeground of Fenerbahçe, in a bless ceremony. fanatic Galatasaray supporters were enraged and started many “anti-Belözoğlu” campaigns for transferring to their rival. however, Belözoğlu stated that he had constantly been a Fenerbahçe fan, which has been confirmed by some of his past team-mates, including Galatasaray legends Hakan Şükür and Hasan Şaş. [ 10 ] [ 11 ] After a disappoint first season, reproducible performances in the future see Emre rewarded with the Süper Lig player of the year for the 2009–10 season. He was effective at both ends of the pitch, his know and battleful expressive style proving a valuable asset in taking his team sol cheeseparing in both league and cup. On 3 November 2010, Belözoğlu declared that he hung posters of former Fenerbahçe players Aykut Kocaman, Rıdvan Dilmen and Džoni Novak on his walls at home plate. [ 12 ]

Atlético Madrid ( 2012–2013 ) [edit ]

Belözoğlu moved to Atlético Madrid, the reigning champions of the Europa League on 29 May 2012. He signed a biennial contract and was warmly received by compatriot and midfield partner Arda Turan. [ 13 ] On 7 July Belözoğlu trained with his new teammates before being unveiled by Atlético in a sign ceremony held in the Vicente Calderon stadium. He made his Atlético debut on 1 September 2012 in the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea, coming on for the last three minutes in set of Radamel Falcao whose hat-trick contributed to Atletico ‘s 4–1 victory. [ 14 ]

Fenerbahçe – second spell ( 2013–2015 ) [edit ]

Belözoğlu returned to Fenerbahçe on 31 January 2013 on a two-and-a-half-year contract worth €2 million per temper. [ 15 ] His first pit was against Sivasspor .

İstanbul Başakşehir ( 2015–2019 ) [edit ]

Belözoğlu joined İstanbul Başakşehir in 2015 and late captained the side Belözoğlu has signed an agreement with İstanbul Başakşehir for two years before the get down of the 2015–2016 season. [ 16 ] Ahead of the 2018–19 campaign, he announced that he would be retiring from football at the conclusion of the season. [ 17 ] however he decided not to retire without playing again at Fenerbahçe, his boyhood club. [ 18 ] [ 19 ]

Fenerbahçe – third spell ( 2019–2020 ) [edit ]

On 2 July 2019, Fenerbahçe announced the sign of Belözoğlu for a class [ 19 ] and he retired from football after this season. [ 18 ] [ 20 ]

International career [edit ]

After making his international debut against Norway in 2000, Belözoğlu was a regular in the Turkey national team. Injury forced him out of the Euro 2000 but he was part of the Turkish squad that finished in third gear stead at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Belözoğlu played the open equal of UEFA Euro 2008, but an injury sidelined him for the lie of the tournament as Turkey progressed to the semi-finals. On 7 September 2019, Belözoğlu played his hundredth match against Andorra. [ 21 ]

Managerial career [edit ]

After his retirement, on 28 October 2020, Fenerbahçe announced that Belözoğlu was appointed film director of football to Fenerbahçe ‘s first team. He led the summer transfer window of the 2020–21 season from August to October. [ 22 ]

Fenerbahçe ( interim ) [edit ]

On 25 March 2021, Fenerbahçe director Erol Bulut left the team by reciprocal consent. Fenerbahçe board of directors and Belözoğlu agreed on an interim coach position for 10 matchdays until the end of the season. [ 23 ] His first match as the club ‘s new coach took topographic point eleven days later, when Fenerbahçe beat Denizlispor 1–0 in a Süper Lig pit, which was his identical first match in his managerial career. At the end of the season, Fenerbahçe finished in third place, by 2 points behind Beşiktaş. Belözoğlu finished with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in 10 matches. On 1 June 2021, Fenerbahçe president Ali Koç announced that Belözoğlu would no long manage Fenerbahçe after the conclusion of the interim period. On 2 June, Fenerbahçe officially confirmed his impart by making a farewell announcement. [ 24 ]

İstanbul Başakşehir [edit ]

On 4 October 2021, Belözoğlu signed a 2-year contract with İstanbul Başakşehir, returning to the team he captained for 4 years, as a director. [ 25 ] His first peer as coach was a 3–2 home plate gain over Beşiktaş on 15 October. [ 26 ]

style of free rein [edit ]

A versatile midfielder, Belözoğlu was capable of playing in the middle of the pitch as a central midfielder, as an advanced playmaker, or even on the leave. He was chiefly known for his technical ability and tactical feel. [ 27 ]

personal life [edit ]

Born in Turkey, Belözoğlu is of Lezgin – circassian origin. [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] He is a practising pious Muslim and has stated ; “ like everyone else ( who is Muslim ), I ‘m trying to be arsenic centrist as possible in this holy place month. But the job I do is physically identical hard, so on the day of a match and for one or two days former I do n’t fast ”. [ 32 ] He is fluent in Turkish, English, italian and spanish. [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ]

controversy [edit ]

Post-match brawl (2005)

After a post-match brawl in a 2006 World Cup qualification playoff match with Switzerland, Belözoğlu was banned for Turkey ‘s following six matches and fined CHF 15,000 ( £6,622 ) plus costs of CHF 1,000 ( £440 ) for his allege contribution in the bash. The FIFA Appeal Committee later reduced the banish to four matches. [ 36 ]

Transfer to Newcastle United (2005)

Belözoğlu ‘s transfer from Inter Milan to Newcastle United in July 2005 is one of those about which the Stevens question report in June 2007 expressed concerns. [ 37 ]

Racial abuse accusations in England (2006)

Belözoğlu was accused of using racist insults towards Everton ‘s Joseph Yobo, Tim Howard and Joleon Lescott during a catch on 30 December 2006. He denied these claims, and he was charged by The Football Association in January 2007 and found not guilty by an independent commission in March. [ 38 ] In February 2007, the FA announced another investigation into allege racist remarks from Belözoğlu, this fourth dimension aimed against Bolton Wanderers striker El-Hadji Diouf in a 2–1 win at St James ‘ Park on 15 October 2006. Emre ‘s agent denied the accusation. [ 39 ] Diouf subsequently decided not to press charges. [ 40 ] In March 2007, Belözoğlu faced a third racism allegation, from Watford defender Alhassan Bangura. [ 41 ] He was cleared of any error. [ 42 ]

Racial abuse incident in Turkey (2012)

On 15 April 2012, Belözoğlu was accused of making a racist remark on the pitch towards Trabzonspor ‘s Didier Zokora. [ 43 ] He has denied these claims. On 17 June 2014, Belözoğlu was sentenced to a two-and-a-half-month suspended prison conviction as a result of the claim, with the crime constituted as an insult crime. He is the first turkish football player to be sentenced for racism. [ 44 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Europe[b] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Galatasaray 1996–97 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1997–98 23 2 9 0 2 0 34 2
1998–99 27 2 6 2 2 0 35 4
1999–00 24 5 4 0 13 1 41 6
2000–01 27 5 3 5 10 0 40 10
Total 102 14 22 7 27 1 151 22
Inter Milan 2001–02 14 0 0 0 6 0 20 0
2002–03 25 3 0 0 12 1 37 4
2003–04 21 0 3 0 6 0 30 0
2004–05 19 0 2 1 6 0 27 1
Total 79 3 5 1 30 1 114 5
Newcastle United 2005–06 20 2 4 0 1 0 25 2
2006–07 24 2 2 0 12 1 38 3
2007–08 14 1 5 0 19 1
Total 58 5 11 0 13 1 82 6
Fenerbahçe 2008–09 25 1 6 0 9 1 40 2
2009–10 25 1 7 0 8 1 40 2
2010–11 27 4 1 0 4 2 32 6
2011–12 26 6 2 0 28 6
Total 103 12 16 0 21 4 140 16
Atlético Madrid 2012–13 7 1 3 0 7 1 17 2
Fenerbahçe 2012–13 10 2 2 0 12 2
2013–14 20 6 1 0 2 0 23 6
2014–15 26 6 1 0 27 6
Total 56 14 4 0 2 0 62 14
İstanbul Başakşehir 2015–16 26 3 2 0 2 0 30 3
2016–17 27 4 5 1 4 1 36 6
2017–18 27 3 1 0 7 2 35 5
2018–19 24 1 1 0 2 0 27 1
Total 104 11 9 1 15 3 128 15
Fenerbahçe 2019–20 26 3 0 0 26 3
Career total 531 60 66 8 115 11 716 81

International [edit ]

Appearances and goals by national team and year[45][46][47]
National team Year Apps Goals
Turkey 2000 4 1
2001 5 0
2002 13 2
2003 7 0
2004 7 0
2005 7 0
2006 1 0
2007 8 1
2008 7 1
2009 6 1
2010 9 1
2011 6 1
2012 9 1
2013 2 0
2014 2 0
2015 0 0
2016 0 0
2017 1 0
2018 0 0
2019 6 0
Total 101 9
Scores and results list Turkey’s goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Emre goal.[45][46][47]

managerial criminal record [edit ]

As of match played 25 December 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
Fenerbahçe (interim) Turkey 25 March 2021 31 May 2021 10 7 2 1 18 10 +8 0

70.00

İstanbul Başakşehir Turkey 3 October 2021 Present 12 8 4 0 22 10 +12 0 66.67
Total 22 15 6 1 40 20 +20 0 68.18

Honours [edit ]

Galatasaray
Inter Milan
Newcastle United
Fenerbahçe
Atlético Madrid

  • UEFA Super Cup: 2012

Turkey
Individual

  • FIFA 100
  • Pirata d’Oro (Inter Milan Player of the Year): 2003[50]
  • Süper Lig Player of the Season: 2009–10

See besides [edit ]

Notes [edit ]

References [edit ]