Aykut Kocaman (born on May 5, 1965 in Geyve, Sakarya, Turkey) is a former Turkish footballer in the striker position and current manager of Fenerbahçe. He is the first person in the club's history to have won the Süper Lig in his playing and managerial career. His name Aykut is now associated with being given to children that are loved by their parents.^[1] Before he made his debut 1980 with the amateur club Kabataş Altınmızrak in Istanbul, Kocaman performed gymnastics at the club Eczacıbaşı, winning 40 medals and reaching second place at the national level. 1984, he moved to Sakaryaspor in Adapazarı, Sakarya and turned professional. Then in 1988, Kocaman signed a contract with Fenerbahçe, where he played and contributed much to success of his club until he was transferred to İstanbulspor in 1996.^[2]

He was actually fired from Fenerbahçe despite his championship winning goal in the last game of the season against Trabzonspor. His gentle words and his regret for the beaten rival team apparently angered the club president Ali Şen. Kocaman played four seasons for İstanbulspor and, retired in 2000 as active player. Some say he played his last years to pass the 200 goal barrier. He was famous for a special move, where he would ease a high-pass on his chest and rocket the ball to the goal. In his playing years some fans named this move "Aykut" after him.^[2]

After his career as a player Kocaman served as manager of İstanbulspor for four successive seasons. Uzan Family withdrew its support from İstanbulspor in 2001. Because of this, İstanbulspor fell into financial crisis, and became 9th in 2002-03. Finally, in 2003. In 2004, financial problems at İstanbulspor forced him to leave and he signed a two year contract to coach Malatyaspor. He resigned in March 2005 from his duty at Malatyaspor. He coached Konyaspor in the 2005–06 season and Ankaraspor in the 2006–07 season. He returned to Ankaraspor in the 2008–09 season. He mentored the talented Turkish winger Özer Hurmacı and introduced him to professional football. He became Fenerbahçe´s Director of Football in the 2009–10 season.^[2] On June 26, 2010 Kocaman was announced as Fenerbahçe's new manager, taking over from Germany's Christoph Daum. Kocaman officialized his new role as team coach in a signing ceremony held at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.^[3]

Playing career[link]

Before he made his debut 1980 with the amateur club Kabataş Altınmızrak in Istanbul, Kocaman performed gymnastics at the club Eczacıbaşı, winning 40 medals and reaching second place at the national level. 1984, he moved to Sakaryaspor in Adapazarı, Sakarya and turned professional. Then in 1988, Kocaman signed a contract with Fenerbahçe, where he played and contributed much to success of his club until he was transferred to İstanbulspor in 1996.^[2] He was actually fired from Fenerbahçe despite his championship winning goal in the last game of the season against Trabzonspor. His gentle words and his regret for the beaten rival team apparently angered the club president Ali Şen. Kocaman played four seasons for İstanbulspor and, retired in 2000 as active player. Some say he played his last years to pass the 200 goal barrier. He was famous for a special move, where he would ease a high-pass on his chest and rocket the ball to the goal. In his playing years some fans named this move "Aykut" after him.^[2]

Coaching career[link]

Early years[link]

After his career as a player Kocaman served as manager of İstanbulspor for four successive seasons. Uzan Family withdrew its support from İstanbulspor in 2001. Because of this, İstanbulspor fell into financial crisis, and became 9th in 2002-03. Finally, in 2003. In 2004, financial problems at İstanbulspor forced him to leave and he signed a two year contract to coach Malatyaspor. He resigned in March 2005 from his duty at Malatyaspor. He coached Konyaspor in the 2005–06 season and Ankaraspor in the 2006–07 season. He returned to Ankaraspor in the 2008–09 season. He mentored the talented Turkish winger Özer Hurmacı and introduced him to professional football. He became Fenerbahçe´s Director of Football in the 2009–10 season.^[2]

Fenerbahçe[link]

2010-11[link]

On June 26, 2010 Kocaman was announced as Fenerbahçe's new manager, taking over from Germany's Christoph Daum.^[3] Kocaman officialized his new role as team coach in a signing ceremony held at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Fenerbahçe's President Aziz Yıldırım said; Everyone knows Aykut Kocaman's place in the history of Fenerbahçe. We all know how the supporters and community appreciates him. It gives pleasure to see what we expected to take place in three years to actually happen today. Kocaman when join to Fenerbahçe's Manager; There's no words to describe this moment. I highly appreciate the club management for their utter support i am thrilled and excited. I hope this new role of mine will be beneficiary to both myself and Fenerbahçe. In my personal life, I am a fearless person. I am never afraid of anything, however, what worries me most is not living up to people's expectations. Apart from that, I don't have any other concern.^[4] Kocaman Despite a bad start which included being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round by Young Boys and knocked out of the UEFA Europa League in the Play-off round by PAOK. However in January Fenerbahçe knocked out of the 2010–11 Türkiye Kupası in the group stage.^[5][6][7] In 22 May 2011, Fenerbahçe won an 18th Süper Lig title in the 2010-11 season with a 4-3 win over Sivasspor moving ahead of the 17 titles won by arch-rivals Galatasaray. Despite a 9-points deficit after 16 games, Fenerbahçe went on to an astonishing 17 wins and one draw from the last 18 games of the season and won the title with 82 points. Trabzonspor also finished on 82 points but were held back to due head-to-head goal average in favor of Fenerbahçe. Kocaman is the only name in Fenerbahçe history‚ who won the championship both as a player and as a manager.^[8]

On July 2011, as part of a major match-fixing investigation by authorities in Turkey, nearly 60 people suspected to be involved with fixing games were detained by İstanbul Police Department Organized Crime Control Bureau and then arrested by the court.^[9] The Turkish football corruption scandal is an ongoing investigation about match-fixing, bribery, starting a gang, organized crime and intimidation in Turkey's top two divisions, the Süper Lig and the First League.^[10] On 10 July 2011, the club president Aziz Yıldırım was remanded in custody over allegations of match-fixing.^[11] On 19 July 2011, the TFF announced that the Süper Kupa game between Süper Lig champion Fenerbahçe and Türkiye Kupası winner Beşiktaş was postponed to an unknown date due to prosecution investigation.^[12] As a consequence of the match-fixing allegations, UEFA demanded that Fenerbahçe withdraw from the 2011–12 Champions League. The club refused but, under pressure from UEFA, the TFF withdrew them from the competition, giving Fenerbahçe's place to second-placed Trabzonspor.^[13][14] On 5 September, Fenerbahçe have appointed the lawyers Emin Öztürk and Jean-Louis Dupont and opened a court case against UEFA and the TFF at the CAS over their exclusion from the Champions League. The case is opened with a demand now for €45 million and reserving the right for more in connection with our material loss due to the said exclusion.^[15]

2011-12[link]

After this scandal Fenerbahçe on 12 September 2011 in the opening match of the Super Lig season, have a victory 1-0 against Orduspor.^[16][17] On 16 September 2011 Süper Lig second round Fenerbahçe was winning against Gaziantepspor with score 3-1.^[18] In July 2011, Fenerbahçe fans invaded the pitch during a friendly against the Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk. As punishment, Fenerbahçe was sentenced to two Süper Lig games in empty stadia. The TFF later allowed those two games to be filled with spectators; the men were barred while women and children under twelve got in for free. The team plans to have similar promotions during the rest of the season in order to increase attendance and reduce violence, and Fenerbahçe in this match draw against Manisaspor with score 1-1.^[19] On 14 December 2011, Kocaman downplays Emre Belözoğlu's bust-up with team-mate, and denies punch claims. The veteran midfielder was rumoured to have attacked his boss during a spat with fellow player Cristian Baroni, but this has been rubbished by the Turkish club. Kocaman has admitted he was annoyed with Emre Belözoğlu's recent behaviour in a bust-up with a team-mate, but denies that the midfielder threw a punch at him. The former Inter and Newcastle man was reported to have had a disagreement with fellow player Cristian Baroni after the Süper Lig side's 2-0 win over Bursaspor on Monday night. During the incident, the 31-year-old was believed to have tried to strike his boss, and has subsequently been suspended for the time being. However, Kocaman has since insisted that the punch claims are untrue. "I was angry with Emre arguing in the changing room with Cristian, but there was no punch-up," the 46-year-old told Dogan News Agency. When quizzed on the incident, Emre seemed to think that it was a minor disagreement that has been blown out of proportion by the press. "This is nothing too serious. I feel I don't need to comment on the issue," the Turkey international told Anadolu News Agency. ^[20] On 16 January 2012, Monday evening as a last-gasp goal on Monday gave Kocaman's Fenerbahçe, aka the Yellow Canaries, a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Manisaspor in week 20 of the Süper Lig. The victory at Manisa's 19 Mayıs Stadium not only reduced the gap between the Canaries and runaway leader Galatasaray to four points, it also kept the Canaries firmly in the playoff race for this season's championship.^[21]

On 29 January 2012, Kocaman's Fenerbahçe seeks redemption, 1.000th victory at Kadıköy. Fenerbahçe, stunned 3-2 by İstanbul BB on Wednesday, will be seeking redemption when they host struggling newcomer Mersin İdman Yurdu in week 23 of the Süper Lig at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Kadıköy on Sunday evening. The Canaries will also be striving for their 1.000th league victory, something they failed to realize after the debacle during the “mini” İstanbul derby against İstanbul BB at Atatürk Olympic Stadium on Wednesday. Despite the loss to İstanbul BB, Kocaman’s Canaries are still favored to make the play-offs at the end of the regular season. Kocaman and his men do not seem perturbed at all because all the coaches are currently talking about the play-offs at the end of the regular season, not the league championship itself. One thing, however, is crystal clear: The Canaries should avoid dropping points from now on.^[22] On 18 February 2012, Kocaman's Fenerbahçe thus became the first football team in the land to garner 3.001 points in 1.759 matches in 54 seasons since the inception of the Süper Lig in 1959. It is also worth noting that the Fenerbahçe were the first team to record 1.000 league victories. Saturday's victory also meant the Fenerbahçe extending their unbeaten run at Kadıköy to 36 games. Never since Fenerbahçe was beaten 3-2 by Bursaspor in week 22 of the 2009–10 season on 22February 2010, has the team tasted defeat again at home. In the 36 league matches played since then, the Fenerbahçe have won 30 and drawn six. In the same game Kocaman, Sivasspor victory was the owner of a new record. Fenerbahçe have won 9 Süper Lig field in his last 9 games. The last seven seasons by beating Fenerbahçe shame 27 week field line inside the field caught the longest wins. Christoph Daum 2004-05 season Fenerbahçe team had won 14 games with the top of the inner field. Kocaman's Fenerbahçe during the past season on top of the inner field match-winning 8, on the 9th game Bursaspor match was tied 0-0 with the site. Kocaman, Sivasspor match the longest winning 4-2 series victory by finishing the last season, passed to the internal field.^[23]

On 8 March 2012, Kocaman’s contract extended for 3 years. Fenerbahçe has extended the contract of Kocaman for three years, the club said in a written statement on Thursday. Fenerbahçe said in the statement published on the club’s official website that a signing ceremony will be held at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium next week for Kocaman, cited as the person who embodies Fenerbahçe spirit. It is also noted that the decision regarding players whose contracts expire at the end of this season will be made after the season ends.^[24][25] On 13 March 2012, Kocaman signed the 3-year contract in a signing ceremony held at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium with the club official Ali Yıldırım. Yıldırım congratulated Kocaman and wished him luck in the upcoming period. He added that Kocaman stood strong when the club was going through turbulent times in the face of match-fixing scandal.^[26] On 27 April 2012, Fenerbahçe has advanced to the final in the Turkish Cup after beating Karabükspor 2-0 in a semi-final game in Ankara on Thursday. Kocaman said at a post-game press conference that he is happy his team has clinched a place in the Turkish Cup, one of their targeted finals. The other final that Fenerbahçe is seeking is the championship play-offs of Süper Lig. There will be no actual final in the play-offs, but the team still lags behind Galatasaray by two points and is trying to gain an advantageous position to win the league title. Fenerbahçe last won the coveted Turkish Cup in 1983 and is yearning to end the waiting of its fans.^[27] On 12 May 2012, Fenerbahçe lose the Süper Lig title with a 0-0 draw at arch-rivals Galatasaray on Saturday after a season marred by an ongoing court investigation into match-fixing allegations against leading clubs. In a highly-charged derby that Fenerbahçe needed to win to retain the championship, Galatasaray hung on against the more attack-minded home side as red cards reduced both sides to 10 men in the second half.^[28][29][30] On 16 May 2012, Fenerbahçe win Turkish Cup for first time in 29 years trounced Bursaspor 4-0 to win the Turkish Cup for the first time in 29 years on Wednesday, gaining some consolation for finishing runners-up in the league to Galatasaray. After this title Kocaman is the only domestic name in Fenerbahçe history‚ who won the championship and domestic cup^{[31][32][33][34]}

Honours[link]

Player honours[link]

• Sakaryaspor
  • Türkiye Kupası
    • Winners: 1987-88

• Fenerbahçe
  • Süper Lig
    • Winners: 1988-89, 1995–96
    • Runner-up: 1989-90, 1991–92, 1993–94
  • Türkiye Kupası
    • Runner-up: 1988-89, 1995-96

Managerial honours[link]

• Fenerbahçe
  • Süper Lig
    • Winners: 2010-11
    • Runner-up: 2011-12
  • Türkiye Kupası
    • Winners: 2011-12

Awards and achievements[link]

• 3 times top goalscorer (1988-89, 1991–92 and 1994–95 at Fenerbahçe),
• 15 times national team player and scorer of one goal,
• 200 goals scored in his career, ranking fifth in Turkey after Tanju Çolak, Metin Oktay and Hakan Şükür, Hami Mandıralı.

Statistics[link]

Player[link]

^[35]

International[link]

^[36]

International goals[link]

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	8 March 1995	Fenerbahçe Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey	Israel	1–1	2–1	Friendly

^[36]

Managerial statistics[link]

As of 16 May 2012^[35]

Personal life[link]

He is married to Arzu and they have two daughters named Ekin and Yağmur. Kocaman is always referred to as a polite person and a true professional. Kocaman have been seen as the future coach of Fenerbahçe due to the love and respect shown him by the supporters.^[37]

Notes[link]

1. ^ Includes Türkiye Kupası, Atatürk Kupası, Başbakanlık Kupası, Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kupası and TSYD Kupası
2. ^ Includes European Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup,

References[link]

External links[link]

• Profile at TFF.org
• Profile at Mackolik.com
• Aykut Kocaman at Fenerbahçe.org
• Aykut Kocaman at National-Football-Teams.com