Legendary Coach Zico Reflects on His Fenerbahçe Days
Arthur Zico, who achieved both a Süper Lig championship and a Champions League quarter-final success with Fenerbahçe, made significant statements about his days with the yellow-navy blue team.
Speaking on a program, Zico fondly recalled the Fenerbahçe–Galatasaray derby with great excitement and praised the intense atmosphere of the match. He also shared a special conversation he had with Fenerbahçe’s then-president, Aziz Yıldırım.
“THE MOST CRAZIEST DERBY IN THE WORLD”
Commenting on the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray derby, Zico said, “Fenerbahçe had the craziest fans. I witnessed the most insane derby in the world—Fenerbahçe vs. Galatasaray. They are truly fanatics. It’s even more intense than the Flamengo-Vasco derby. It’s fiercer and tougher than Brazil‘s biggest rivalry, Gremio-Internacional.”
“HE WOULD HAVE FIRED ME IF I HADN’T WON THE TITLE”
Speaking about Aziz Yıldırım, the Brazilian legend stated: “Turkey was tough! I was very happy to win the derbies and secure the championship in Fenerbahçe’s 100th year. I had to win every match. The president had a clause in my contract stating that if I didn’t win the title, he would fire me. I told him, ‘You can put the clause, but we will be champions.’ He had to put up with me for another year.”
