Fourth time lucky? Terim returns to Galatasaray

Istanbul, December 22: Galatasaray have announced the appointment of Fatih Terim, the coach returning for a fourth spell in charge of the Turkish club.

Terim has been out of work since July, when he left his role as Turkey's national team coach after he was involved in an altercation with a restaurant owner.

Gala sacked Igor Tudor after they lost three of their last four matches in all competitions under the former Juventus and Croatia defender.

Terim has not worked in club football since 2013, when he left Galatasaray to re-join Turkey after claiming his sixth Super Lig title, all of which have come at the Istanbul giants.

The 64-year-old - who also represented the club as a player - has a long association with Galatasaray, having first taken charge in 1996 after leading Turkey to the European Championship in the same year.

Terim subsequently won four consecutive Super Lig titles to write his name into Gala folklore, also claiming the 2000 UEFA Cup crown, although he did not succeed during short spells in Italy with Fiorentina and AC Milan.

During Terim's second spell in charge of Turkey, he led his country to the semi-finals of the 2008 European Championship.

Galatasaray sit third in the Super Lig table after 16 matches, a point behind leaders Istanbul Basaksehir but ahead of fourth-placed champions Besiktas.

Source: OPTA