Who are Fatih Karagumruk, Andrea Pirlo’s new club?
Andrea Pirlo has been appointed as manager of Turkey’s top-tier side, Istanbul based Fatih Karagumruk SK, the club said on Sunday.
Former Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo has been appointed as manager of Turkey’s top-tier side Fatih Karagumruk SK, the club said on Sunday.
Juve sacked Pirlo in May 2021 following one season after he could only lead the reigning Serie A champions to fourth place in the 2020-21 campaign, his debut in a senior team manager role.
The 43-year-old has signed a one-year contract with the Istanbul-based Super Lig club, starting on July 1.
“Happy to start a new adventure. Thank you Karagumruk SK,” the former Italy international said on Twitter.
Karagumruk were promoted to Turkey’s top flight in 2020 and finished eighth in the country’s top division last season.
Who are Fatih Karagumruk?
Fatih Karagümrük are based in the Karagümrük neighbourhood of the Fatih district in İstanbul (on the European side) but currently play their home games at the 70,000 plus capacity Attaturk Olympic stadium on the outskirts of the city as their own compact 12,000 capacity Vefa Stadium fails to meet the criteria required by the Süper Lig.
The club is owned by Süleyman Hurma and last season boasted high profile names in their squad such as Argentine Lucas Biglia (who has recently announced his exit from the club), former Milan man Fabio Borini or ‘Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa.
The team are considered as the ‘sixth Istanbul side’ competing the Super Lig after Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Başakşehir and Kasımpaşa and will joined next season in the top flight by a seventh Istanbul side following Istanbulspor’s recent promotion.