Signs are mounting that Stefan Kuntz could become Turkey’s new national coach. The German U-21 coach has not yet asked the DFB to release him from his contract, which runs until the end of July 2023, but the association is prepared for this step.
Following Turkish media reports, Kuntz had stated on Tuesday evening via the DFB: “At the invitation of the Turkish Football Association, I was in Istanbul for initial talks, but there is no decision to announce yet.” However, this could follow soon.
In the background, it seems that the TFF, for whom ex-Bundesliga player Hamit Altintop is responsible for the search for a successor to the dismissed Senol Günes, is still discussing the modalities with which Kuntz wants to make a change palatable. Former Turkish international and current TV pundit Ridvan Dilmen announced on Twitter that Kuntz would receive a three-year contract and be given a Turkish-born assistant coach with German language skills.
Turkish media speculate – Korkut not an issue as assistant
At this point, the chronically excited Turkish media are trading the names of Kenan Kocak and Tayfun Korkut, among others, who are well-known in German professional football. However, this seems far-fetched. According to information from kicker, there is currently no connection to Korkut in this matter. Moreover, the 47-year-old Korkut, who most recently worked as head coach in the Bundesliga in Stuttgart, Leverkusen and before that in Hannover, is not even considered for a position as co-coach. Although Kocak has not yet coached in the Bundesliga, he has also worked as head coach for years and only ended his involvement with Hannover at the end of last season.
Kuntz: Consultations also with the family
But the successful German U-21 coach will probably also have to make a final decision after consultations with his family as to whether he wants to give up his secure job at the DFB, for which he is held in high esteem both internally and externally, and instead spend a large part of the year abroad in future and take the risk of being quickly fired again if he fails in an emotional environment.
“We are still waiting for the final feedback from Stefan. “
JOTI CHATZIALEXIOU, SPORTING DIRECTOR NATIONAL TEAMS
On the other hand, for the first time he has the chance to coach a senior national team that still has a chance to qualify for the biggest football event in the world: the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In his only World Cup appearance as a player in 1994 in the USA, the later European champion of 1996 had only been a reserve.
A possible transfer fee would have to be discussed
As the chances and the sporting and financial attractions probably outweigh the benefits, the tendency is towards a transfer. The DFB is prepared for such a scenario. However, Joti Chatzialexiou, sporting director of the national teams, said in an interview with kicker on Thursday afternoon: “We are still waiting for the final feedback from Stefan. Only when he comes to us with a concrete transfer wish and a request for release, will the next steps follow.”
Then Chatzialexiou and Oliver Bierhoff would discuss possible transfer modalities with Kuntz. In view of Kuntz’s merits, the DFB would probably not put too many obstacles in his way, but would also not want to hand over its deserving coach to a rival national association just like that. Topics such as a possible transfer fee would have to be discussed first.
Now it’s Kuntz’s turn. It looks like it won’t take too much longer.
