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Exclusive interview of Ceyhun Kazancı, who worked as the sports director of the Turkish club "Beşiktaş" in 2021-2023, to AZERTAC
- You participated in the international event "Football Conference Baku" organized by "QOLAT Sport Service & Football Agency" in Baku. It would be interesting to know your impressions...
- I think the forum will be very useful. There are many common features between Azerbaijani and Turkish football. It is a great feeling to be in a brotherly country. Organizing such events creates an environment for closer relations between the two countries. There are high-level sports facilities built in Azerbaijan. In my opinion, your country has good potential in football. "Qarabağ"'s successful performance in the Europa League in the 2023/2024 season is a clear proof of this.
- In your opinion, what needs to be done to bring Azerbaijani football to the level of Turkish football?
- The most important thing is to have good finances. Azerbaijan is geographically closer to the East. Therefore, it is a bit difficult to bring players from Europe. You can give Georgia as an example close to you. They performed well in the last European Championship. They allocated funds to lower age groups and developed a certain strategy. Azerbaijan should do the same. Serious attention should be paid to academies. In Turkey, this process goes only to a certain point. For example, Turkish players who grew up in football academies in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands are invited to our national team. We can fill the gap in this way. The legionnaire limit in the Azerbaijan Premier League has been abolished for the next season. I don't think this is a wrong decision. Because forcing local players to play creates a separate question. Will that player develop? It is necessary to deal with children from a younger age. The child of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, a member of the Turkish national team and "Inter", was enrolled in a football academy in Germany at the age of 4. This is a very correct decision. Starting early is a successful path to development. Your country has a population of 10 million. The state provides a high level of care for sports. If only clubs and the federation unite and pay attention to the academies, a good job will be done.
- Do you have any plans related to football in our country?
- There are no plans for this at the moment. However, we have always made plans to work together with Azerbaijan and develop the football of both countries.
- You have worked as a sports director in one of the famous clubs of Turkey, "Beşiktaş"...
- I have a very good relationship with Ahmed Nur Çebi, the previous president of "Beşiktaş". In fact, I have been in football for 20 years. I used to be a manager before. The club manager told me that he was looking for a manager, not someone who had the idea of becoming a coach in the future. Taking into account my previous successful work, my arrival at the club took place. I worked as the sports director of "Beşiktaş" for three years. I hope I will return to the "black eagles" again.
- Many sports directors are the ones who make the final decision on the transfer issue. How was this process with you?
- It was not always my decision. For example, when Valeryen İsmael was the head coach, the last word in transfers belonged to me. However, the situation was different during Şenol Güneş's leadership. There was no rule that the coach would make all the decisions. Everyone's opinion was listened to.
