Emre Sarigulreports
There was no mass turnout at
Istanbul airport on his arrival. No
flares, no raucous welcome, no street
parties. But make no mistake about
it – the signing of Mesut Ozil was
one of the biggest transfers in
Fenerbahce’s history.
Due to COVID restrictions on
public gatherings, Fenerbahce fans
were forced to the online realm to
get behind their new man. Over
100,000 people tracked Ozil’s
flight from London to Istanbul.
Fenerbahce’s tweet announcing the
Ozil signing received over 610,000
likes and 216,000 retweets.The fans are excited. But they will
demand results.
Sceptics will argue that the
Fenerbahce administration has
resorted to what major Turkish clubs
have always done in the past when
facing strain: throw money at a big
name not exactly in the prime of
their career to win over the masses.
A short-term measure to hide
long-term problems.
For years Turkish clubs have
papered over the cracks. The major
clubs in Turkey are technically owned
by the fans, with a membership-
based setup and presidents electedeye
witness
TURKEYHomecoming
Unveiling...Ozil during
his first Fenerbahce
press conference