Football on verge of collapse and desperately needs a new native, national phase
With the catastrophic coup attempt on July 15 tarnishing the image of a stable Turkey, international stars in the Turkish Super League have started to quietly leave the country. Beşiktaş's German striker Mario Gomez (above) was the first player to jump ship and wanted to leave Turkey and was truly terrified by the ongoing situation, which is very humane. Others are following his steps. There are also rumors about Fenerbahçe's Dutch striker Robin Van Persie's departure from the country too. Thus, it is obvious that Turkish clubs will never bring in international stars as they did last 10 years ago, making them bound to native players. Exactly for this reason, this season can be revolutionary for Turkish football, a season where Turkish clubs can focus on developing and investing in young talent in Turkish football.
It is true that the size of the Turkish football economy will shrink in the following year or years, and there is a possible recession and even decline for Turkish football in general. What makes international stars and the importation culture of Turkish football so important is that there is merely production in Turkish football. The greedy chairmen and executives who are not subjected to any decent regulation about financial administration, are used to deceiving their fans by importing internationally renowned but expired players in order to maintain their parasitical economic habitat. In a sense, you can think of these people as the Gülenists of the football world, in contrast to the few people who produce for Turkish football, these hucksters are only consuming what is produced.
Now, there is an unprecedented chance for the government to implement reforms like Süper Lig A.Ş. to transform the primitive financial regulations of Turkish football to decent ones compatible with international standards. Seeing as the import-bound economic system of Turkish football cannot survive under these circumstances and the political atmosphere is ready for radical changes, everything is set to overthrow this ancient regime.
However, the serious question is, with what Turkey will replace Turkish footballs long-reigning system? It is easy to counter this question with highly theoretical rhetoric like a quasi-Soviet Union economy where Turkish football's native and national resources with dedicated and patriotic coaches, executives and statesmen can create a self-sufficient habitat. Nevertheless, we need people who not only exist in theory but also in reality, and the most suitable name is for this sacred mission is Beşiktaş's champion coach Şenol Güneş. Given the national team would be the best pioneer to promote investment in young talents, Güneş's ideas should build the national team and Turkish football in the following years.
Nonetheless, the most important part is still the economic independence of Turkish football from importation. Of course, no economic habitat can stay untouched by the others and I do not mean to offer an isolated utopia, but the point is to be able to survive in the football world with our own means of production. Turkey managed to do this in political, social and economic life in the last 15 years, why football should stay with primitive and underground methods? Turkey has the experience and human resources to make this transformation, and the wind is finally in the back of those who dedicated themselves to the future of Turkey.
It is true that the size of the Turkish football economy will shrink in the following year or years, and there is a possible recession and even decline for Turkish football in general. What makes international stars and the importation culture of Turkish football so important is that there is merely production in Turkish football. The greedy chairmen and executives who are not subjected to any decent regulation about financial administration, are used to deceiving their fans by importing internationally renowned but expired players in order to maintain their parasitical economic habitat. In a sense, you can think of these people as the Gülenists of the football world, in contrast to the few people who produce for Turkish football, these hucksters are only consuming what is produced.
Now, there is an unprecedented chance for the government to implement reforms like Süper Lig A.Ş. to transform the primitive financial regulations of Turkish football to decent ones compatible with international standards. Seeing as the import-bound economic system of Turkish football cannot survive under these circumstances and the political atmosphere is ready for radical changes, everything is set to overthrow this ancient regime.
However, the serious question is, with what Turkey will replace Turkish footballs long-reigning system? It is easy to counter this question with highly theoretical rhetoric like a quasi-Soviet Union economy where Turkish football's native and national resources with dedicated and patriotic coaches, executives and statesmen can create a self-sufficient habitat. Nevertheless, we need people who not only exist in theory but also in reality, and the most suitable name is for this sacred mission is Beşiktaş's champion coach Şenol Güneş. Given the national team would be the best pioneer to promote investment in young talents, Güneş's ideas should build the national team and Turkish football in the following years.
Nonetheless, the most important part is still the economic independence of Turkish football from importation. Of course, no economic habitat can stay untouched by the others and I do not mean to offer an isolated utopia, but the point is to be able to survive in the football world with our own means of production. Turkey managed to do this in political, social and economic life in the last 15 years, why football should stay with primitive and underground methods? Turkey has the experience and human resources to make this transformation, and the wind is finally in the back of those who dedicated themselves to the future of Turkey.