Turkish businessman and former Fenerbahçe board member, Sadettin Saran, formally threw his hat within the ring Monday for the presidency of Süper Lig giants Fenerbahçe.
The announcement reignites a brewing battle forward of the membership’s September 2025 election congress.
Fenerbahçe’s soccer group has endured an agonizing title drought, failing to clinch the Süper Lig crown for 11 straight seasons since 2013-14.
Fans’ frustrations have grown beneath present president Ali Koç, whose six-year tenure has yielded monetary reform however no league trophies, regardless of marquee signings like Edin Dzeko and Sofyan Amrabat.
Saran’s pledge to revive the membership’s “expected championships” has sparked recent hope and intense debate amongst supporters.
From swimming champion to sports activities mogul
Born in Denver in 1964, Saran is not any stranger to sports activities or management.
A former Turkish nationwide swimmer and University of Kentucky mechanical engineering graduate, he transitioned from public service to entrepreneurship, founding Saran Holding – a various conglomerate with stakes in media, sports activities, know-how, and protection.
His sports activities media ventures embody S Sport, Ajansspor, and tuttur.com, cementing his affect in Turkish sports activities broadcasting.
Saran’s prior tenure on Fenerbahçe’s board, beneath ex-president Aziz Yıldırım, ended amid inside disputes.
Yet after a authorized battle restored his membership membership, Saran’s loyalty and business acumen have positioned him as a formidable contender to steer Fenerbahçe out of its stoop.
Critical crossroads
The membership’s current trajectory beneath Ali Koç stays contentious.
The 2024-25 Süper Lig season noticed Fenerbahçe end a robust second with 92 factors, nonetheless six shy of champions Galatasaray.
Fan unrest has mounted, fueled by allegations of referee bias and Koç’s stark warning that “Fenerbahçe won’t be allowed to win the championship while I’m president.”
A fan-led petition calling for a rare congress to oust the present board has gathered momentum, although Saran publicly declined to help this transfer, stressing respect for democratic membership processes.
In his assertion, Saran declared:
“Fenerbahçe is indisputably the world’s greatest sports club across all branches. It is inevitable that our football team must always be at the top. While we respect the democratic right of an extraordinary congress, removing elected boards in this manner is not right. Our team is ready to take on the responsibility at the first congress without conditions, to bring championships to Fenerbahçe as soon as possible.”
Rich legacy and current struggles
Founded in 1907, Fenerbahçe is a multi-sport powerhouse famend for its basketball, volleyball, and soccer success.
Its basketball group stays a European titan, successful the 2017 EuroLeague.
But soccer has lagged. Despite a star-studded roster that includes Edin Dzeko and Dusan Tadic, league glory has slipped via their fingers.
Financially, Koç has trimmed membership debt from 600 million euros ($703.3 million) in 2018 to 307 million euros by mid-2024, backed by sponsorship from Koç Holding and in depth club-owned belongings.
However, monetary well being has but to translate into trophies, stoking calls for brand spanking new management.
Political tightrope
This isn’t Saran’s first run.
He initially entered the race in March 2024, touting his group as probably the most ready in Fenerbahçe’s historical past and courting prime coaches like Antonio Conte.
But when Koç introduced his re-election bid, Saran withdrew in May, pledging unity and help to keep away from fracturing the membership.
That resolution drew combined reactions, with some lauding his loyalty and others accusing him of weak spot.
Now, with no situations hooked up, Saran returns able to problem for the presidency in 2025, decided to reshape Fenerbahçe’s future.
The upcoming congress can also see a three-way battle with incumbent Koç and former president Aziz Yıldırım, whose ally Abdullah Kığılı has hinted at working ought to Saran enter alone.
Fan opinion stays break up – some admire Saran’s principled stand towards the petition, others doubt his means to topple Koç’s entrenched affect.
Source: www.dailysabah.com