National coach with ambitions: Kuntz returns “home” to Turkey

National coach with ambitions
Kuntz returns “home” to Turkey

With the German U21 team, Stefan Kuntz has reached the finals of the European Championship three times in a row and won two titles. Now the Turkish federation is officially introducing him as the new national coach. For the ex-striker, it is a return to the city where he once stayed as a professional.

Stefan Kuntz joked, laughed, his eyes shone. “Being here is like going back home,” said the new Turkey coach with “pride” at his presentation on Monday in Istanbul. “When I first told my family about the offer, they said to me : ‘Can we come to Turkey too?’ I don’t think I could give a bigger compliment. “

But Kuntz won’t have time to enjoy the view of the Bosporus over coffee and cake with his wife Sabine and the two children, to visit the Hagia Sophia or the Dolmabahce Palace or to take a walk to the Galata Tower. After all, a mammoth task awaits the new national coach in Turkey.

And Kuntz is tackling his mission with great vigor. He wanted to create a team “that the whole country can be proud of,” said the 58-year-old: “I know the potential of Turkish players. We will give these players organization and structure.” His contract runs until summer 2024 – including the EM in three years in Germany.

Turkey longs for new successes under the new hope from Germany. “We believe in him. We trust him. We want to work together for many years,” said association president Nihat Özdemir of Kuntz, who was chasing goals for Besiktas in the 1995/96 season: “Today we are starting a new era for Turkish football.” National team director and ex-Bundesliga professional Hamit Altintop, who arranged the deal with Kuntz, said the goal under Kuntz was to form “a young, modern team” that “will play tactically at the highest level”.

Right at the start against Haaland

Kuntz had recently reached the European Championship final three times in a row with the German U21s and won the title twice, no wonder that the German Football Association (DFB) only let its talent developer go with a crying eye. But Kuntz was attracted by the front row, the really big stage.

So now the Turkey adventure. And it will certainly not be easy to revive the national team quickly. Former Bundesliga professionals Caglar Söyüncü (Leicester City) and Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan) are still the biggest stars, but some talents like Kerem Aktürkoglu, Orkun Kökcü or Merih Demiral are looking for their way up.

But Kuntz knows a lot about players who are capable of development. His debut will be on October 8th in Istanbul in the World Cup qualification against Norway around Bundesliga star Erling Haaland. From now on the “work” starts properly, said Kuntz.

He should build on his old successes as soon as possible, since the third place at the 2002 World Cup and the EM-Aus in the semifinals against Germany in 2008, not much went for Turkey at the big tournaments – if she was there at all. It will also be difficult to qualify for Qatar. By 2024 at the latest, Turkey should play a leading role again at the European Championships – in Germany, the home of Kuntz. But it is worthwhile to forego the sights for now.

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