Turkish Basketball Coach Ataman Slams Galatasaray's Osimhen Transfer Despite Record €80M Fee

Image: Coach Ergin Ataman

Renowned Turkish professional basketball coach Ergin Ataman, who has helmed various clubs including Beşiktaş since 2011 and currently leads Panathinaikos, has recently voiced significant criticism regarding the trajectory of Turkish football. His commentary focuses on the substantial financial investments made by top clubs during the last summer transfer window, which have not, in his view, yielded the desired international results.

Ataman specifically highlighted the landmark signing of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen by Galatasaray. The high-profile permanent transfer, valued at approximately 80 million euros from Napoli, represented the Turkish club's major statement of intent. The acquisition of Osimhen's caliber player was anticipated to elevate the team to new heights domestically. However, Ataman questioned the overarching ambition behind such expenditures, that winning the domestic league title, a feat not accomplished by his favored club Galatasaray for several seasons, should not be the ultimate objective.

Ataman, stated that the immense spending, reflective of the unique economic power of Turkish football, must be justified by achieving significant milestones on the continental stage. His firm belief is that the primary criterion for evaluating these expensive squad reinforcements should be the ability to progress deep into tournaments like the UEFA Champions League or Europa League, specifically targeting appearances in the semi-finals. The current absence of such achievements, despite the millions invested in talents like Osimhen, forms the core of his critique, underscoring a perceived disconnect between financial ambition and European performance.