Tugay Kerimoğlu to take care of Galatasaray's youth

Former Turkish international Tugay Kerimoğlu has returned to Galatasaray where he will serve as the coordinator of the Istanbul club’s youth system.

Speaking at a ceremony on Thursday to mark the contract signing, Kerimoğlu said he was “honored and happy to be back home.”

Former Galatasaray and Turkish international team coach Fatih Terim was also present at the ceremony to show support to his former player.

“My aim will be to raise honest players that can carry the burden of playing at the top level,” said Kerimoğlu.

Kerimoğlu said he will work in cooperation with Jan Derks, who was in charge until his arrival.

Some pundits have argued Kerimoğlu’s arrival in Galatasaray is the first step of preparing him to replace coach Frank Rijkaard in the near future. But the former Blackburn Rovers player said he would only focus on the youth academy.

“I have left behind a 10-year career on the European stage to help Galatasaray as much as I can,” he said. “I will do my best to raise new Hakan Şükürs, Arda Turans and Okna Buruks.”

The 40-year-old Kerimoğlu played for Galatasaray from 1987 to 2000, where he won six Turkish League titles and four cup trophies. The midfielder was made captain at Galatasaray in the 1992-93 season, making him the youngest captain in the history of the club.

He signed for Glasgow Rangers during the 2000-2001 winter transfer window, four months before Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup.

Kerimoğlu joined Blackburn Rovers for the 2001-2002 season, where he became a fan favorite, playing for the Lancashire club until he retired in May 2009.

He gained praise for his performances in the Premier League.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in 2006 that if he Kerimoğlu had been 10 years younger, his ability would have made him an ideal player for the Old Trafford team.

When Kerimoğlu’s manager at the time, Mark Hughes, was also asked if wished the player were 10 years younger, he said, "No, because if he was, he'd be playing in a Barcelona shirt."

Kerimoğlu also had a coaching spell working as an assistant to Hughes at Manchester City.