Senol Gunes has been sacked as Turkey coach less than two years after guiding the country to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Gunes had been under pressure following Turkey’s failure to qualify for Euro 2004 after they unexpectedly lost their EURO 2004 plaY-off game with Latvia.
Gunes and Haluk Ulusoy, the Turkish Football Association (TFF) president, confirmed at a joint press conference that the coach would be relieved of his responsibilities with immediate effect.
“Senol Gunes served Turkish football and the national team for four years,” said Ulusoy.
“His contract was due to expire on 13 July but after an executive committee meeting, we decided that it would be more useful to part company before that date, considering the matches we will play in June.”
Meanwhile, Gunes added: “In the national team and in the TFF we did some good work. But some people cannot understand the current situation with Turkey.
‘As a nation, we quickly get accustomed to good things but forget what we are missing. I am sure that whoever takes over from me, will make further progress.”
