Fatih Terim admits: 'If I had stayed 20 years like Arsene Wenger...'

Fatih Terim, the revered former coach of the Turkish national football team and Galatasaray, has opened up about his long tenure at the Istanbul club. Speaking on his personal YouTube channel, Terim drew parallels with legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, suggesting that a similar extended stay at Galatasaray could have yielded significantly different outcomes.

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If I had stayed for 20 years like Arsene Wenger, frankly, much would have happened. Why didn't it happen? It wasn't just about me, but also about individuals... it wasn't about the community either. My loyalty is to my club... when the people making the decision are there, there's nothing you can do, but this doesn't mean I will leave my community even if I don't work.

"If I had stayed for 20 years like Arsene Wenger, frankly, much would have happened. Why didn't it happen? It wasn't just about me, but also about individuals... it wasn't about the community either," Terim stated. He attributed the inability to achieve such longevity to decisions made by others, while reaffirming his own unwavering commitment to the club, even if he wasn't actively coaching.

Terim also delved into the concept of loyalty, a quality he believes is increasingly rare. "Loyalty is not a conditional situation. It's not important to be there when the wind is at your back. But loyalty is being able to stay on the same path when the wind is against you or when you're caught in a storm," he explained. He contrasted this with the rapid club-switching prevalent today, emphasizing that true loyalty means sharing the burden and remaining steadfast, a principle he has held since his youth.

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Loyalty is not a conditional situation. It's not important to be there when the wind is at your back. But loyalty is being able to stay on the same path when the wind is against you or when you're caught in a storm.

Reflecting on his own career, Terim highlighted his consistent dedication to Galatasaray, having never played for or coached another club after joining. "Since I signed for Galatasaray, I haven't played for another team as a player. Since I came to Galatasaray as a coach, I haven't worked for another team. I respect every community, but this is my choice. Maybe you can say this is Adana loyalty," he remarked, referencing his hometown's reputation for steadfastness.

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Since I signed for Galatasaray, I haven't played for another team as a player. Since I came to Galatasaray as a coach, I haven't worked for another team. I respect every community, but this is my choice. Maybe you can say this is Adana loyalty.

He also touched upon the self-interest he has observed within institutions, criticizing those who prioritize personal gain over the club's welfare. "When they come to any position, they will not put their own interests above the interests of the institutions. They will not use their own envy or jealousy to serve the community," Terim asserted, questioning the whereabouts of those who have acted against him or the club.

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When they come to any position, they will not put their own interests above the interests of the institutions. They will not use their own envy or jealousy to serve the community.