Demiral hails Terim ahead of RSL Turkish clash | OneFootball

Al Ahli defender Merih Demiral heaped praise on his compatriot Fatih Terim ahead of the Roshn Saudi League clash between the two Turks as Al Ahli welcome Al Shabab to Prince Abdullah Al Faisal in Matchweek 14 on Friday evening.

Demiral, currently in his second season at the Jeddah club, has represented Türkiye 53 times, making his international debut in 2018, just one year after the end of Terim’s most recent spell in charge of the national team, but the 26-year-old still retains fond memories of the iconic manager.

“I was 9-10 years old and I remember painting my face white and red,” said Demiral, recounting the fever that engulfed the nation as Türkiye produced an unforgettable 3-2 comeback victory over Czechia in the final three minutes of the game to advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008. Terim’s charges then edged out Croatia on penalty shootouts to reach the continental last four for the first time in their history.

“Watching him in Euro 2008, he did great things. Of course I always remember him for that and I will never forget it. It was crazy. I really like and respect him.”

Terim, 71, joined Al Shabab on a six-months deal following the departure of Vitor Pereira to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers in December and is set to become the first Turkish manager to take charge of an RSL match when he makes his league debut on the dugout against Al Ahli.

“He is a great guy, for Turkish people what he did in Türkiye and Italy shows he is really a great coach, one of the best in Turkey. Everyone looks to him as an example.

“I’m happy he is here with Al Shabab and I think he will do great things for Al Shabab and for Saudi football”.

Most recently in charge of Greek giants Panathinaikos, Terim is widely considered the greatest Turkish coach of all time, having led Galatasaray to becoming the first (and to date only) Turkish side to win a European competition, with their triumph in the 2000 UEFA Cup final at the expense of Arsenal. He also led the Istanbul powerhouse to eight Turkish Super Lig titles and took charge of his country’s national team on three different spells between 1993 and 2017.

Terim also enjoyed spells in Serie A, managing Fiorentina and AC Milan around the turn of the millennium.