Mohamed Salah joined Trabzonspor as a free agent earlier this month – but his new club are in crisis following a shock Europa League defeat last night
Mohamad Salah is facing turmoil at Trabzonspor after manager Fatih Tekke tried to resign just minutes after the club’s Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros on Thursday evening.
Salah’s side were hammered 4-0 in Hungary, having lost the play-off first leg at home 1-0. The former Liverpool star was replaced just after the hour mark as he was powerless in preventing his new club from dropping into the Conference League.
Trabzonspor had heavily invested in experienced European talent and Salah wasn’t the only former Premier League star responsible for the heavy defeat – Andre Onana started between the sticks, while ex-Manchester City defender Stefan Savic was also named in Tekke’s starting line-up.
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But the comprehensive defeat proved to be the final straw for Tekke, who sensationally quit his post during his post-match television interview. Speaking live on air, Tekke said: “I am resigning from a very honourable position.
“Today’s defeat is unacceptable. Misfortunes and bad luck are all acceptable, but I cannot accept this. I cannot sleep with this feeling. May everyone forgive me. We did our best.”
He added: “We had a very sad night. Of course, the reason is me and my team. It was a sad night for both our country and our club.
“Until the red card, it seemed like a match that would go well. As a result, we couldn’t qualify for the Europa League. For 18 months, day and night, my team and I have been thinking about how we can do better.
“The team will be much, much better, that’s for sure. I won’t elaborate further. Nobody knows. As of now, I am resigning from my position after 18 months. I think I have the right to punish myself in this way.”
However, his attempts to leave were sensationally blocked: “Fatih Tekke has decided to resign due to the emotional intensity caused by the defeat following the Ferencvaros match,” a club statement read.
“As the Trabzonspor Board of Directors, our Fatih Tekke’s resignation decision has not been accepted. Fatih Tekke continues in his role and will be at the helm of our team in the Amedspor match we will play in the league.”
Salah, who left Liverpool at the end of the season after agreeing to terminate his contract, arrived in Turkey to much fanfare earlier this month.
After signing a two-year deal, he declared: “The last couple of days, it’s an experience I have never had in my life.
“I’m here to win. I want to win something with this club because you guys have showed me so much love, and I really, really appreciate that.”