Transfer confession from Arda Turan for Italy! ‘I signed secretly in the car’

Arda Turan, who achieved promotion to the Super League while managing Eyüpspor, gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport from Italy.

Talking about the coaches who influenced him during the Atletico Madrid and Barcelona periods, Turan also made a remarkable transfer confession about Italy.

La Gazzetta dello Sport’s interview with Arda Turan is as follows:

Question: Let’s start from the end. How do you define this historic victory?

Special in every sense. For me this is the first important victory. We have achieved something great, it will be exciting to play in the Super League next year. Before the match for which we bought Super League tickets, I gave a motivational speech to the team and told them to pursue what we have been working on all year. Al Pacino style lyrics… Or Diego Simeone, you see…

Question: Would Simeone do this a lot?

A lot (laughs). Especially at critical moments. He is a workaholic, a leader who demands a lot but can give you everything back. He’s one of those guys you’d throw yourself into the fire for. I remember in a meeting before the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, he showed us Al Pacino’s famous speech from the movie ‘Every Damn Sunday’. We went on the field and fought and won the match.

Question: Is he your idol as a coach?

It definitely impressed me. From the defense phase to the motivation aspect. But there were others whom I thanked and tried to steal concepts and teachings from. If I had to give some examples, I would say Fatih Terim and Luis Enrique.

Question: Is it true that it was Simeone who convinced you to defend in Spain?

Yes that’s true. It made me see the game as a whole and taught me that success can also be achieved through struggle, war and pain. Like me, he is a passionate person who always says what he thinks. Someone you will either love or hate. I got along well with him, but we fought so much…

Question: You said that Atletico is a family for you and the most important team in your career. What memories do you have there?

I spent unforgettable years at Atletico. On the very first day, I signed the contract in great secrecy, in a car, cop movie style. We created an extraordinary culture at Atletico Madrid and changed the club. We won the Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup. We became La Liga champions against the strongest teams in history, Real Madrid and Barcelona. What more could you want? I would also like to mention the fans, who have always been unique to me. They were very good years.

But after 5 years you chose to leave and went to Barcelona…

When I was at Atletico, I said in my early days that I would not even go to Real Madrid for free, but Barcelona is another story for me. I grew up watching them and always dreamed of reaching that level. Whether it was training or a match, there were players who made your jaw drop every time. Messi was an alien, he would leave you speechless with the simplicity with which he did the most difficult things. I have a special memory. I scored two goals and made an assist in the Super Cup final against Sevilla. When they announced that I was the man of the match, I looked at Messi and nodded, then went to collect the award. Then we burst out laughing. With that look, it was as if he was saying to me, ‘Go, you deserve this.’

Question: Who was your best teammate?

Without a doubt Neymar. But also Pique, Jordi Alba, Diego Costa and Griezmann. Lots of jokes and laughter…

Question: What was your biggest disappointment?

Undoubtedly the Champions League, where we lost in the last minute against Real Madrid in 2014. It was over. It was a bad disappointment, it took me a long time to recover. Fortunately, we experienced many other satisfying successes afterwards.

Question: What kind of coach is Arda Turan? What principles do they have?

I think a lot of things come down to communication. In order to get along with different generations, you need to be able to communicate with them correctly. Then, I have never seen a success story in life that was achieved without hard work. First of all, I’m trying to convey this. Work hard and always be honest with others.

As a coach, I want to experience all the successes I experienced as a player and more. I don’t put any limits on myself.

Question: Where do you see yourself in the future?

I want to open myself to Europe and be successful there too. I want to go to the best leagues and prove my worth. I know this will take time, but it’s definitely a goal.

Question: Maybe even in Italy?

That would be great, yes. I love Italy. As a child, I became passionate about football by watching Baggio. I would be fascinated for hours watching his games. I would make a ball out of my socks at home and try to imitate it. Another idol of mine was Del Piero. I met him in a friendly match in Bergamo in 2006, I was very young but what a thrill it was! I would love to play in Serie A. I had a few opportunities but none of them materialized.

After winning the UEFA Super Cup, I knew there was interest from Inter, and then I also received verbal offers from Milan. Who knows, maybe as a coach this could become a possibility. I would absolutely love this. These are the clubs that fascinate me and Italian football is on the rise. Never say never in life…