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Former Galatasaray and Turkish national team star Arda Turan has signed a two-year contract with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, becoming the club’s 39th head coach.
The move comes after an impressive managerial debut at Eyupspor, where he led the club to promotion in his first season and pushed for European qualification in the second.
Turan, 38, began his coaching career in 2023 and quickly made headlines for his tactical acumen. In the 2024–25 season, he guided Eyupspor to sixth place in the Super Lig, collecting 53 points in 36 matches.
Upon signing with Shakhtar, Turan expressed his ambition and pride:
"I am proud to join Shakhtar, a great club with a rich history and traditions. This is a team known across Europe for its desire to win every match."
"I hope to contribute to the club’s legacy and bring joyful moments to our fans through our performances. We are deeply motivated to win trophies, both in Ukraine and in European competitions."
Turan, a product of the Galatasaray academy who played for the Istanbul club in two separate stints, made headlines again shortly after his appointment — this time for a symbolic digital gesture.
Known for his unwavering loyalty to Galatasaray, Turan had long included “Sadece Galatasaray” (“Only Galatasaray”) in the biography of his official Instagram account.
Following his appointment as Shakhtar manager, Turan removed the phrase. His updated profile now reads “Official account of Arda Turan” and “Shakhtar Manager.”
Turan’s rapid transition from player to coach has been widely noted. After hanging up his boots, he took over Eyupspor in Türkiye’s second division, leading them to promotion in his first season.
His immediate success caught the attention of international clubs, culminating in his signing with Ukraine’s most prominent football institution.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s official statement confirmed the agreement with Turan will run through summer 2027.
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