City Football Group announce ‘football collaboration’ with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir – with Man City’s owners set to advise on recruitment and coaching
- Istanbul Basaksehir challenges the traditional ‘big three’ in Turkish football
- City Football Group advises on transfers, coaching, scouting and strategy
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The owners of Manchester City have announced a ‘football partnership’ with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.
Istanbul Basaksehir are ninth in the Turkish Super Lig but won the title in 2019/20 and have been a fixture in Europe since taking over in 2014.
City Football Group (CFG) will provide the club with ‘consultancy’ in the areas of strategy, transfers, scouting and coaching.
Istanbul Basaksehir has close ties with Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The owners of Manchester City have announced a ‘football partnership’ with Istanbul Basaksehir
City Football Group, which owns Man City, owns most or part of 13 clubs around the world
The club’s president and majority shareholder, Goksel Gumusdag, is a party member and married to a niece of Erdogan’s wife.
Gumusdag said: “Istanbul Basaksehir FK has achieved many firsts in Turkish football despite its young age and today, with this partnership with the world’s leading football group, marks a new milestone for Istanbul Basaksehir and Turkish football.
‘From the very beginning, we have reiterated at every opportunity that our vision and objectives are different and today we underline this expression again. We are very happy, proud and enthusiastic.’
The club was originally founded in 1990 as Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor, but was renamed in 2014 and has since grown into one of the most competitive clubs in the country.
They thus challenge the traditional ‘big three’ Galatasaray, Fenerbache and Besiktas.
The City Football Group owns a majority or part of 13 clubs around the world.
That includes Manchester City, Melbourne FC, New York City FC, Palermo Girona and Troyes.
Istanbul Basaksehir has ties to controversial Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Girona is one of the successes of City Football Group and is second in the LaLiga
“The agreement will see CFG provide advice on various football projects – including long-term football strategy, recruitment, scouting and coaching methodology – as IBFK (Basaksehir) looks to grow and strive for success,” a CFG statement said.
‘The collaboration will in turn help CFG increase knowledge and develop relationships in Turkey, an ambitious football nation and developer of talent. This also offers CFG the opportunity to work together in emerging football areas with a club that has a shared vision.”