Besiktas Chairman: "We Will Be Champions"

Excerpts from this article appear in Thursday's Turkish Daily News. To read the entire article, please visit http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=69343

Beşiktaş Chairman Yıldırım Demirören asserted once again that his club would retain the Turkcell Super League title this season, as their current spirits are better than during their 100th anniversary, when they finished champion.

Speaking on Star TV's football show “Telegol Özel,” Demirören expressed his belief in his team, “I said it before and I'm saying it again. We are going to be the champions. There are no secret intentions behind that. I'm saying it because I believe in my squad.”

Yıldırım Demirören also commented on Beşiktaş striker İbrahim Akın, saying they were not considering to send him to another team. However, İbrahim might only be called back to the squad when he apologizes and takes his playing to a better level, Demirören added.

Coach Jean Tigana has left Black Eagles' troubled child out of the squad after the 23-year-old got angry at being substituted in the 40th minute of a friendly game. According to the Frenchman, İbrahim has psychological issues that have to be solved and only cares about horse races.

Demirören also found time to talk about former Beşiktaş stars Tümer Metin and Sergen Yalçın. “Though I always wish the best for him, Tümer has made the biggest mistake of his life. Beşiktaş's captain cannot be transferred to another team,” said Demirören. On the other hand, he was calmer regarding Sergen, “We offered making his jubilee but he rejected our offer. We have never been disloyal to him. He will always be Sergen of Beşiktaş.”