Acun Ilıcalı Announces New Era for Fenerbahçe: “A Fresh Chapter Begins”

Ilıcalı spoke to HT Spor following the draw, expressing satisfaction with Fenerbahçe’s pairing with Anderlecht. “Personally, I can say that God has given me what I hoped for. It’s not one of the strongest opponents, but it’s not a bad draw either. I would call it a good draw,” he said.

Fenerbahçe’s European Performance

While acknowledging that everyone has their own opinion about football, Ilıcalı emphasized how proud he is of Fenerbahçe’s performance in Europe. “Not many teams go through what we’ve experienced this season,” he noted, praising the club’s achievements despite challenges such as injuries and a reduced squad.

Challenges and Success Despite a Small Squad

Ilıcalı revealed that several players couldn’t be included in Fenerbahçe’s European list, and injuries, particularly to key players like Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Oosterwolde, have made things difficult. Despite this, he praised the team for advancing from a tough group and expressed optimism for the upcoming tie against Anderlecht, noting that Belgium teams have been a success for Turkish clubs in the past.

Fenerbahçe’s Ultimate Goal: Championship

As always, Fenerbahçe’s goal is to win the championship, Ilıcalı affirmed. “There’s nothing to debate. Fenerbahçe can have no other goal. We have committed to this path with our fans, players, and management. From the very beginning, we said we would build a strong squad and bring in a top coach,” he explained.

A New Era for Fenerbahçe

Looking ahead, Ilıcalı said, “A new era for Fenerbahçe officially starts on Sunday. Our president is fully committed to this, and our fans can see it. We are here to support him until the end. Together with our president, we will build the team our fans dream of. Whether this is the best squad or not, we will continue to improve. Football is a dynamic sport, and our aim is always to get better.”

He also emphasized the unity within the club: “It’s not about me, it’s about us. All of us, including our president and the management team, are working together. We make decisions together. We are all one.”

Ali Koç’s Leadership and Skriniar Transfer

Ilıcalı also praised Fenerbahçe’s president, Ali Koç, for his leadership, particularly during the Skriniar transfer. “Fenerbahçe is lucky to have a president like Ali Koç. His influence was crucial in bringing Skriniar to the club. We felt the difference in Ali Koç’s involvement during this transfer,” he said. “If there’s a hero in this transfer, it’s our president. I felt his presence in a big way during the Skriniar deal.”

Ilıcalı concluded with a sense of optimism for the future: “On Sunday, we will unite with our fans in Kadıköy. It will be a celebration, and it feels like a new season is beginning. We will show the unity and strength of Fenerbahçe once again.”