Terim stays in charge of Turkey until 2012

AFP - 1 July 2008 21:04

The Turkish Football Federation said Tuesday they have struck a deal with Fatih Terim, pictured in June 2008, to stay on as coach of Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey until 2012.

ISTANBUL (AFP) - The Turkish Football Federation said Tuesday they have struck a deal with Fatih Terim to stay on as coach of Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey until 2012.

"Fatih Terim had a contract until 2010. In the meeting we had with him today we agreed to extend the contract until 2012," federation president Hasan Dogan said in a statement.

Terim had said he was planning to step down and take over a European club after he led Turkey to the semi-finals of a European championship for the first time.

But the 54-year-old-coach, dubbed the "Emperor" for his leadership skills, came under strong pressure to stay on and lead Turkey's campaign for the 2010 World Cup.

Turkey's Euro 2008 performance elevated Terim to a hero's status after he was severely criticised for his tactics and choice of players after losing 2-0 to Portugal in the opening match.

Pundits had given Turkey little chance ahead of the tournament, but the team reached the semi-finals, winning three of their first four games in a dramatic fashion that earned them the reputation of comeback kings.

After losing to Portugal, they beat Switzerland 2-1 and the Czech Republic 3-2 with last-minute goals in the group stage and knocked Croatia out at the quarter-finals on penalties after equalising with the last kick of the game in extra time.

They lost 3-2 in the semi-final as Germany scored their third goal in the 90th minute.

Terim had also guided Galatasaray to become the first Turkish side to win a European trophy when they beat Arsenal in the 2000 UEFA Cup, after which he coached AC Milan and Fiorentina.