Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan confirmed that the Turkish club opened negotiations with Pep Guardiola to succeed Fatih Tekke, marking one of the most ambitious managerial approaches in Turkish football history.
Doğan revealed that the club contacted the Spanish manager to evaluate his interest in the project, though Guardiola’s response closed the door on a potential move to Türkiye during the current season.
The Trabzonspor president quoted Guardiola as stating: “Perhaps we can speak next summer, but for now, I have promised my family that I will not manage this season.”
Trabzonspor remain in search of a new manager following the departure of Fatih Tekke, who submitted his resignation following a slump in domestic form and a disappointing European exit.
The team suffered a 5-0 aggregate defeat against Hungarian side Ferencváros before falling 2-1 to newly promoted Amedspor, prompting the board to accept the manager’s resignation.
Trabzonspor temporarily regained momentum with a resounding 5-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği, in a match that saw Mohamed Salah score one of the goals.
The club’s shortlist of managerial options includes Antonio Conte, Marcelino, Sérgio Conceição, Vítor Pereira, Arda Turan, Şenol Güneş, and Abdullah Avcı, though Doğan denied holding direct negotiations with certain candidates on the list.
Turkish media reported an offered salary reaching €13 million to persuade Guardiola; however, his commitment to his family sabbatical renders an immediate appointment unlikely while keeping dialogue open for next summer.
