BERLIN
Former Turkish footballer Tayfun Korkut was appointed by a German Bundesliga team, Hannover 96, as their new manager. He signed a two-year-deal with Die Roten (the Reds) that made him the second Turkish manager in Bundesliga after Ozcan Arkoc who managed Hamburg during the season 1977-78 after his retirement from professional football in the same club.
In a statement made on the club's website, Korkut signed a deal with Hannover 96 until 2016. It was also expressed that Tayfun Korkut had played for Stuttgarter Kickers (Germany), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Real Sociedad (Spain), Espanyol (Spain), Besiktas and Genclerbirligi (Turkey) during his professional football career.
At an international level 39-year-old Korkut had also played for Turkey in several international competitions such as Euro 96 held in England, Euro 2000 co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
He started his managerial career with Real Sociedad's U-19 team in 2007, then he managed Germany's Hoffenheim U-17 team and continued his career by managing VFB Stuttgart U-19 team in 2011. On January 1, 2012 he was appointed as an assistant manager of Turkey national football team. Korkut is fluent in many languages, he speaks German, Turkish, English and Spanish.
Being at 13th place with 18 points in Bundesliga standings, Hannover 96 sacked German coach Mirko Slomka last week.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
