Turgutluspor appoints 22-year-old Zeynep Mestan as men’s head coach

Turgutluspor, a Turkish football club competing in the Manisa Super Amateur League, has appointed 22-year-old Zeynep Mestan as its new head coach. Mestan becomes the first woman to lead the club’s senior men’s team.

Mestan, a graduate of Ege University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences, has a background as a former player for various women’s clubs in the Izmir and Manisa regions. She has also gained experience as an assistant coach for both men’s and women’s teams.

Club President Yilmaz Gencturk stated that the decision was based on Mestan’s tactical knowledge and her presented projects rather than for publicity. The club aims to use this appointment to begin a restructuring process following recent relegations. Mestan has expressed her intention to implement an attacking style of play, citing Pep Guardiola as a tactical inspiration, and has noted that she expects and is prepared for the scrutiny that comes with her appointment.