Advocaat proud to take over at Fenerbahçe
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
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Dick Advocaat described himself as "proud to be a member of the Fenerbahçe family" after replacing Vítor Pereira as coach on a one-year contract.
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Fenerbahçe have moved swiftly following the departure of Vítor Pereira, naming experienced Dutchman Dick Advocaat as the man who will coach them in 2016/17.
Advocaat, who was officially unveiled on Wednesday, has spent the last three months working as assistant to Netherlands boss Danny Blind, with a return to club management looking unlikely. The prospect of leading Fenerbahçe, though, has proved too good to refuse.
"I am really proud to be a member of the Fenerbahçe family," said the 68-year-old. "In recent years Fenerbahçe have been either first or second which means they have a good squad but can do better. We need to create a gap between us and Galatasaray and Beşiktaş."
Advocaat, who has won league titles with PSV Eindhoven, Rangers and Zenit in a coaching career spanning 36 years, does not have long to prepare for his first game: Fenerbahçe host Swiss side Grasshoppers on Thursday in their UEFA Europa League play-off first leg.
"Against Grasshoppers we will definitely play a 4-3-3 formation," he added. "We will always try to take the initiative in a game. We have a squad capable of playing offensive football – they all need to believe and focus on our journey."
Vítor Pereira's exit was confirmed on Monday. The Portuguese, 48, guided Fenerbahçe to runners-up spot in the league and cup in his only season in Istanbul. His team earned a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round berth but let slip a 2-1 first-leg advantage against Monaco on 3 August.
