Dogan drama at Malatyaspor
Monday, December 22, 2003
Article summary
Ziya Dogan has unexpectedly resigned as coach of Turkish Super League side Malatyaspor.
Article body
Surprise decision
The 42-year-old held a press conference today with club president Hikmet Tanriverdi to announce that he had decided to step down from his post just one day after a 2-2 draw against Fenerbahçe SK had kept them in sixth place at the winter break.
Waning enthusiasm
"It is hard to talk at times like this," said Dogan. "Me and the president have worked together for three years. He has given all of his support to us and this helped us to solve 80 per cent of the problems at the club. However, I felt a drop in my enthusiasm for my job. There are also some family reasons."
Uncertain future
Tanriverdi added that Dogan had tendered his resignation after a 2-2 draw against Galatasaray SK on 28 November but the board needed time to respond to his request. "At a meeting yesterday we accepted Ziya Dogan's decision," he said.
European campaign
The coach had been enjoying a successful spell before he and his assistants decided to step down. A fifth-placed finish in 2002/03 also saw them compete in this season's UEFA Cup, where they lost out 3-2 on aggregate to FC Basel 1893 in the first round.
