Lucescu commits to Galatasaray

Mircea Lucescu has resisted the overtures of a number of European teams after extending his current deal at Galatasaray SK by a further two years.

Replaced Terim
The 56-year-old has been at the helm of the Turkish club since June 2000, when he signed a two-year deal to replace the AC Fiorentina-bound Fatih Terim. There had been speculation in Istanbul that Terim, who has been out of work since his November sacking by Milan AC, was set for a return to the club he guided to UEFA Cup success in 2000.

Weekend defeat
That speculation intensified following Saturday's 1-0 defeat by champions Fenerbahçe SK, a loss that saw Galatasaray's lead at the top cut to four points, but the board at the Ali Sami Yen stadium were keen to show their support to Lucescu. "We agreed on every aspect [of the contract extension] and Lucescu has signed it," said Abdürrahim Albayrak, Galatasaray's director of football. "Although he received several offers from European clubs, he wants to stay here. Lucescu believes in the team and he wants to win the championship this year."

Last eight
Lucescu has taken Galatasaray, last season's 1. Lig runners-up, to the second stage of the Champions League for the second year running despite the loss of eight key players in 2001, including Gheorghe Hagi, Gica Popescu and Mario Jardel. Last season he led them to the last eight - the Istanbul club's best performance in the Champions League.

Eventful campaign
Galatasaray face Group B rivals Liverpool FC at Anfield on Wednesday aiming to secure a first victory of what has been an eventful second group stage thus far. Denied a home victory against AS Roma by a stoppage-time goal, Lucescu's side then held FC Barcelona to a 2-2 draw in the Camp Nou after being reduced to nine men.