Ankaragücü pre season update!

With only two weeks remaining until the 2019/20 Turkish Super Lig season starts, Ankaragücü still haven’t appointed a Manager, the transfer ban is still in place, no sponsorships have been confirmed, under 500 season tickets have been sold and no proper pre season training has taken place.

The preparations for the season ahead are a major concern for Ankaragücü fans with a difficult away match against Konyaspor coming up next Sunday. Caretaker manager Aykan Atik is expected to be in charge for the start of the season as Yiginer has failed to appoint a permanent manager all summer.

Before we take a look back at the two friendlies the team played last week, we take a look at some of the off field events that have made the headlines in the last couple of days. Mehmet Yiginer went up against Murat Agcabag in the presidential elections for the club last week. As Murat made his way to the congress he was banned from entering due to not being a member of the club. Gecekondu leader Ali Imdat was then attacked by the Police as he was prevented from making a statement on behalf of the fans.

Murat Agcabag claims that Yiginer was aware that he wasn’t a member of the club for months and was informed that it wouldn’t be a problem, Yiginer however denies this. It meant Yiginer was the only candidate and was again the winner of the elections.

Ankaragücü fans clashed with the police as they chanted for Yiginer to resign, although it must be added that Yiginer still has a following of Ankaragücü fans who back him. 

After winning the elections Yiginer spoke of lifting the transfer ban, hiring a new manager and asked for the fans to sell out season ticket sales. So far none of them have been achieved. Instead fans are boycotting season ticket sales in protest against the prices especially with no manager or transfers and all the chaos that hangs over the club at the minute.

On the playing front, Ricardo Faty and Thiago Pinto could be set to return to the club in the next couple of days. The team played 2 friendly matches in Erzerum last weekend against Altinordu which ended 2-2 and a 2-2 win over Hatayspor a few days later. Dever Orill and Ilhan Parlak were the scorers against Altinordu in an overall decent performance from the team. Zaur Sadaev and an own goal from former Ankaragücü defender Yusuf Abdiouglu saw the team see of a spirited Hatayspor in the other game.

In other news, the club opened a new store in Ankara and the fans can now purchase all the new Nike merchandise which has some really nice products. Mehmet Yiginer also confirmed the club have received a couple of bids for Dever Orgill. Losing him would be another huge blow especially when this management lose our assets so cheaply. The team also take on Genclerbirligi in the TSYD cup on Friday and guess what?? Still no confirmation as to where the game will be played.

We will be back next week with the match preview for the Konyaspor match and all the latest news.