Mesut Ozil in line for SURPRISE return to football

Cameron Smith

Updated: 18 Sept 2023 19:42 BST
3 min read

Mesut Ozil is being considered as a possible option to become the general manager of Turkey, with the country’s federation keen on giving the former Arsenal and Real Madrid star a role in the national team set-up.

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Ozil, 34, retired from football in March after spending the final two years of his playing career in the Turkish Super Lig.

The ex-Germany international joined Fenerbahce after leaving Arsenal in January 2021, before he spent his final eight months as a professional at Istanbul Basaksehir.

Now, he is in line to become Turkey’s national team general manager.

Reports have claimed the Turkish Football Federation are preparing to sack their head coach Stefan Kuntz and general manager Hamit Altintop. They have denied rumours that Kuntz has already been fired, but it seems as though his days in charge are numbered.

As a result, Turkey are eyeing up a double swoop of German duo Ozil and Joachim Low as their successors.

© ProShots - Mesut Ozil playing for Fenerbahce

Ozil to Turkey?

Turkey are second in Group D of Euro 2024 qualifying, behind Croatia, but are guaranteed a play-off spot. However, they suffered a 4-2 defeat to Japan in a friendly during the September international break.

Kuntz could become the second international manager to lose their job after falling to defeat against Japan, after Hansi Flick was sacked by Germany following their loss to Hajime Moriyasu’s side.

According to Bild, Altintop could also lose his job as general manager as Turkey prepare for a managerial overhaul.

Legendary Germany manager Low, who guided the nation to 2014 World Cup glory, is being eyed as the ideal replacement for Kuntz, while Ozil could come in for Altintop.

Ozil made 92 appearances for the German national team during his career - all of which came under Low’s management - but he is of Turkish descent and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the best man at his wedding with Amine Gulse in 2019.