Hagi goes from Galatasaray
Monday, May 30, 2005
Article summary
Gheorghe Hagi has resigned as coach of Galatasaray SK after failing to secure a UEFA Champions League place.
Article body
Pipped by Trabzonspor
The 40-year-old Romanian took over in March 2004 and this season won the Turkish Cup and masterminded a 5-1 victory against arch-rivals Fenerbahçe SK. However, after Saturday's results, where Galatasaray defeated Denizlispor 4-0 only for Trabzonspor to prevail 5-0 at Istanbulspor AS and claim second place by one point, Hagi announced his decision.
Decision announced
He said: "I congratulate all of my players. I told them that I was proud of them but added one more thing - that I am not their coach any more. My collaboration with Galatasaray has now ended. I have a lot of things on my mind but for the moment I can only say that I am sorry. I took this decision for the benefit of Galatasaray."
'An honour'
Hagi, who as a Galatasaray player between 1996 and 2000 won four league titles and the UEFA Cup, added: "It was an honour to take a role at Galatasaray. I always gave 100 per cent to the club. Everybody can make mistakes and I did too."