Arda Turan Takes Charge at Shakhtar Donetsk with Three-Year Deal

Arda Turan is now the head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk. The club confirmed the news after he signed his contract. The Turkish manager has agreed to a three-year deal and will stay at the club until June 2027.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Turan has become the new head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian club recently signed a contract with him in the presence of club director Darijo Srna, CEO Sergei Palkin and other members. The reports of Turan’s move were widely spread over the last few days and his arrival puts an end to the speculation. The 38-year-old Turkish joins Shakhtar Donetsk from Eyüpspor, where he helped the club get promoted to the Turkish Super Lig for the first time in their history.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Turan replaces Marino Pusic, who resigned after winning three trophies with Shakhtar Donetsk. The Turkish manager is relatively new to management and Shakhtar Donetsk will be his second job in his managerial career, after successfully guiding Eyüpspor to the Turkish top-tier. He joined the TFF First League club in April 2023 on a one-and-a-half year deal. He lost his first game in charge of the club against Göztepe but ended the season on a high note after beating Altay 4-1 in April 2024.

TURAN’S PLAYING BACKGROUND

Turan had a brilliant playing career before he jumped into management. Born on January 30 1987, in Fatih, Istanbul, the former Turkish international began his professional career in the 2004–2005 season, playing for one of Turkey’s most respected clubs, Galatasaray. He later played for Atlético Madrid and Barcelona before heading back home to finish his career at Galatasaray. During his career, he played as a winger. In 384 appearances for the clubs he played for, Turan scored 55 goals. His experience of playing in one of Europe’s top leagues will be handy when he will take Shakhtar Donetsk to Europe.

WHAT NEXT FOR SHAKHTAR?

Shakhtar Donetsk would hope to put up a better show next season after they lost the Ukrainian Premier League to arch-rivals Dynamo Kyiv this campaign. Their performance in the obligatory derbies in European competitions was also not up to the mark as they crashed out of the Europa League in the group stage. The appointment of Turan also confirms their intent on restoring domestic supremacy as well as making a mark in Europe as they aim to compete at the highest level.