Arda Turan has rejected an offer to take over as Trabzonspor manager following the departure of Fatih Tekke, preferring to continue his current project with Shakhtar Donetsk despite direct contact from Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan, who considered him a primary candidate for the role.
Trabzonspor began searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Tekke following a 2-1 defeat to Amedspor in matchday 3 of the Turkish Süper Lig, just days after the board had refused his resignation following a heavy 4-0 loss to Ferencváros in the UEFA Europa League.
Turan is under contract with Shakhtar until June 2027 and has no desire to cut his tenure short, especially after leading the Ukrainian giants back to trophy-winning ways and preparing to compete in this season’s UEFA Champions League league phase.
The 39-year-old manager prefers to build his career abroad and gain further European experience rather than rushing back to the domestic league—particularly as Shakhtar prepare to face European heavyweights while Trabzonspor suffered an early continental exit.
Turan launched his managerial career with Eyüpspor in April 2023, steering them to the TFF First League title and a historic promotion to the top flight, where they finished 6th in their debut season. He then moved to Shakhtar in May 2025, guiding them to the Ukrainian Premier League title and the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League.
Following Turan’s refusal, Italian coach Antonio Conte has emerged as the top candidate for Trabzonspor’s management due to his vast experience and league titles with Juventus, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Napoli; however, his high salary demands and the total cost of his backroom staff remain the primary obstacles to an agreement.
The shortlist also features Sérgio Conceição, Vítor Pereira, Şenol Güneş, and Abdullah Avcı, alongside rumored names like Fatih Terim, Burak Yılmaz, and Thomas Reis. Meanwhile, Hüseyin Çimşir is overseeing team preparation on an interim basis until a permanent manager is appointed.
