Brazilian coach Alex de Souza, who arrived in Antalya last day and was enthusiastically welcomed by the red-white fans, signed a 2-year contract with Antalyaspor.
Antalyaspor, which finished the season in 10th place in the Trendyol Super Lig with 49 points, has announced the new name to take charge of the team after parting ways with coach Sergen Yalçın. The Mediterranean representative has appointed Alex de Souza, who is one of Fenerbahçe’s legendary footballers and continues his career as a technical director. Alex, who landed in Antalya in the evening hours of the previous day, was greeted enthusiastically by the red-white fans at the airport. A signing ceremony for Antalyaspor’s new technical director was held today at a hotel in the city. Antalyaspor President Sinan Boztepe and Press Secretary Alkan Evren attended the ceremony.
Sinan Boztepe: “I believe that we will accomplish successful things with him”
Referring to Alex de Souza’s contribution to Turkish football during his time as a footballer, President Boztepe said, “We are happy on our behalf that we have brought someone with such a career to Turkish football. As Antalyaspor, we are working to be where we deserve to be. We want success. We know how hardworking and devoted our coach Alex is and how much he contributes to Turkish football. He is a character that all of Turkey loves, respects, accepts and embraces. I thank him and I believe that we will accomplish successful things with him.”
2 year contract signed
Stating that they signed a 2-year contract with Alex de Souza and that they are also in talks about transfers, Boztepe said, “We have been holding meetings with him since the night he arrived. We have already started working on the squad. There are names suggested by our coach. There are players we have identified. We will try to create a squad in accordance with Antalyaspor’s budget and in the most distinguished way.” When a press member reminded that Antalyaspor’s transfer board is closed, Sinan Boztepe said, “The transfer period opens in the first week of July. We will open the board before the transfer period starts. As soon as the obstacle is removed, we will make our transfers.”
“Our next targets will be high”
President Boztepe reminded that there were major events in the 5-month period last season and said, “We are making a 2-year plan. We will not play to stay in the league. If we are going to build a team like that, we can build an ordinary team. When Antalyaspor does not have a goal, there will be no success. We have experienced 5 years of events in 5 months. We do not take shelter under excuses. Our next targets will be high. The friends who come after us will also raise the bar higher. There are some options in the contract regarding the European Cup and the ranking.”
“Success requires taking risks”
Adding that it is necessary to take risks for success, Boztepe said, “We had a process with our coach Sergen. We don’t want to continue with our silent and quiet behavior. We agreed with a successful name on the agenda of Turkey and the world. We needed coaches who showed determination and discipline for success. This is how the name Alex came to the agenda. It is necessary to take risks for success. I am someone who takes these risks, especially for myself. I am sure we will not regret it.”
Alex de Souza: “I want to give an energy to the city by being successful on my way as a coach”
Alex de Souza, the new technical director of Antalyaspor, stated that he was happy to be in Antalya and said, “I would like to thank everyone for making me feel very good here and for coming to a country where I am very happy. Likewise, I would like to thank the city of Antalya for making me feel at home since the day I arrived. I want to give an energy to the city by being successful on the path I set out as a coach. I would like to thank Antalya and its people again for the interest they showed me in a short time.”
“We want to see our fans at our stadium”
Stating that he wants to see the red-white fans at the stadium, Alex said, “I want to be successful in the time I have this 2-year contract. We want to see our fans at our stadium. We will build a good team and do whatever it takes to spend pleasant moments with our fans during the matches. In this respect, I would like to express that I am very happy.”
“I had the chance to study the team very intensively”
Alex de Souza said that Antalyaspor started to work on the team from the moment he started to meet with his agent, “I had the chance to study the team very intensely. I had the chance to examine the games played by Nuri and Sergen Hoca and the style of play of the team. Here, I received information from people who worked in the team before and I continued my studies with the information I received from them.” The Brazilian coach stated that he wants to create a competitive squad but while doing this, they are thinking of achieving success with the right budget and said, “Semih hoca (Şentürk) will not be in our team. I will bring two assistant coaches other than the ones working at Antalyaspor. Mehmet Aurelio, who is in Turkey, will also be with us. I also talked to Helton. I also talked to other players. First of all, we want to create the best squad here. It must be balanced and competitive. When the fans come to watch the match, they should go home happy.”
“The aim is to create a strong and balanced team”
Stating that they want to recruit players who really want to play for Antalyaspor, Alex said, “Many players want to come to certain teams. The management will take the necessary actions. Don’t get stuck on those names. I was in Brazil and I can access the news there more easily. There are some news when I’m there, but don’t get stuck on them.” The 46-year-old coach also stated that they are aiming for a balanced Antalyaspor, who will fight their opponents very seriously. Alex said, “I think it is too early to talk about the system, we can talk according to the situation of the players coming in. We imagine that there are people who come to watch Antalyaspor not only from within the city but also from outside. Our focus here is to create a strong and balanced team. There are names we are considering in my team. To choose players who will not strain the financial situation of the team. We want to bring good players. We want to work with players who want Antalyaspor. Sometimes you sign strong names but you don’t get what you want. That’s why we aim to work with players who want to play for Antalyaspor.”
“I was sad when I left here”
Emphasizing that he left Turkey sad, Alex de Souza said, “When I left here, I left sad, but what the people made me experience made me leave happy. I would like to thank the Turkish people for the happy feelings they gave me while I was here. I have a contract here. I will work to lead the team to success. There is no need to talk about the future, we will take it day by day. The thing is that when I was playing in Brazil, it never occurred to me that I would continue and continue my career in Turkey. After 8 years I thought I would finish my career at Fenerbahçe. I am happy to be at Antalyaspor. It is not right to say anything about the future. Let’s enjoy today and look at tomorrow.”
Alkan Evren: “He is someone that Turkish people value”
Antalyaspor Press Spokesperson Alkan Evren said that they have brought a name that Turkish people value to Antalyaspor and added: “He is a very professional and successful person who has written his name in the history of Turkey. He is someone that Turkish people value, hopefully in the coming process, with the support of Antalyaspor fans and people, Alex de Souza’s career as a coach will be as good as his career as a footballer. We, as the management, will give all kinds of support.”
