- Ufuk Talay is the new coach of Sydney FC and replaces Steve Corica
- Ufuk is of Turkish descent and often a source of entertainment for fans
- Squad player when Sky Blues won the A-League grand final in 2006
- Also worked under Steve Corica as an assistant coach in 2018 and 2019
Ufuk Talay needs no introduction to many Sydney FC fans given his previous success at the club as a player and assistant coach, but pronouncing his name correctly is another matter.
Talay, 47, is the new head coach of the Sky Blues, replacing Steve Corica, who was sacked earlier this week after three consecutive defeats in the A-League.
And Sky Blues followers take note: the best way to pronounce Ufuk – which means ‘horizon’ in Turkish – is to emphasize the ‘K’ while saying ‘Oo-fook’.
The former midfielder – once labeled by ex-footballer Josip Skoko as the ‘best player who will never represent Australia’ – is confident the Sky Blues can salvage their horror season so far and return to their winning ways.
The former Wellington Phoenix boss took charge of his first training session on Thursday, just two days after their clash against league leaders Adelaide United this weekend.
Ufuk Talay needs no introduction to many Sydney FC fans, given his previous success with the club as a player and then as an assistant coach
Talay represented Sydney FC as a player from 2005 to 2008 (pictured right, celebrating a goal in the 2007 AFC Champions League)
Talay signs a two-year contract and could find himself on the job if his team doesn’t get going soon.
Sydney FC are yet to score a goal this season and are bottom of the table, but it was only last month that Corica guided the club to victory in the Australia Cup final against Brisbane Roar.
“We want to be big, bold and iconic,” Talay said Thursday.
“We have the guys to do it. We also need the attributes to do it. Fortunately, we have quality personnel to achieve our goals together.
Talay stated that he intended for Sydney FC to rediscover their winning ways and strive to be ‘big, bold and iconic’
“But I’m not naive… it may take a while, but the expectation of myself and the expectation of the group is that it will be successful.”
Talay also had a message for Sydney FC fans: you might see some new faces in the starting line-up against the Reds this weekend.
“It’s always a clean slate for players when a new coach comes in,” he said.
‘Everyone must be alert, because anything is possible.’