Arif Erdem

Arif Erdem (born 2 January 1972) is a Turkish retired football manager and former professional player who played in the forward position. Starting out with local club Zeytinburnuspor in 1990, Erdem had a decorated 15-year professional career. He scored 106 goals in 341 league matches and finished joint top scorer (Gol Kralı) of the Süper Lig with İlhan Mansız at the conclusion of the 2001–02 season.

During his 14 years with Galatasaray, Erdem won seven Süper Lig titles and five Turkish Cup titles, as well as the UEFA Cup in 2000. He was a part of the Turkey national team that finished third at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Erdem was capped 60 times, scoring eleven goals.

He managed İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor from 2011 to 2012.

Club career Erdem played for Zeytinburnuspor before signing his first professional contract with Galatasaray on 1 June 1991. He made 29 total appearances in his first season with the club, scoring four goals. Erdem made fewer appearances the following season, providing four goals in 18 appearances as the club achieved a domestic treble (Süper Lig, Turkish Cup, and Turkish Super Cup). The next season, 1993–94, was Erdem's most successful to date. His nine goals in the league helped Galatasaray earn another league title. Erdem was plagued by injuries during his tenure, and he left the Spanish club after six months, scoring one goal in two appearances. He returned with Galatasaray on 14 November 2000. On 18 November 2011, after the assignation of Abdullah Avcı to Turkey national football team, he became the new head coach of İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor. At the end of the season, his contract was terminated by club at 14 May 2012.

Personal life Erdem is of Albanian descent, through his parents who left Kumanovo. He reportedly fled to Greece in 2016 after the failed Turkish coup of 2016, due to his supposed links to the Gülen movement, categorized by the Turkish government as a terrorist organization.

Career statistics

Club

International Scores and results list Turkey's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Erdem goal.

Managerial statistics TeamFromToRecordGWDLWin %GFGA+/-İstanbul BB20 November 201114 May 2012 32 12 6 14 4555-10Total 32 12 6 14 4555-10

Honours Galatasaray Süper Lig: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02 Turkish Cup: 1992–93, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2004–05 Turkish Super Cup: 1992–93, 1995–96, 1996–97 UEFA Cup: 1999–2000

Turkey FIFA World Cup third place: 2002