New Football Structuring by Önder Özen at Beşiktaş: Identity First, Then Head Coach

Beşiktaş sporting director Zeki Önder Özen proposed a new model prioritizing team identity in football structuring. Head coach and transfer pol...

Scraper SystemMay 22, 2026, 10:38 AM

New Football Structuring by Önder Özen at Beşiktaş: Identity First, Then Head Coach

Beşiktaş is preparing to reshape its football structuring ahead of the new season. Appointed as sporting director, Zeki Önder Özen presented the club management with a sustainable model for competing at the top. Özen emphasized that constantly changing transfer policies according to head coaches have damaged the team identity. In the new model, Beşiktaş will not change its football philosophy with every coaching change; first, the club's playing identity will be determined, then a head coach suitable for this structure will be chosen. It is planned to closely monitor transfers from the Balkans, France-Africa corridor, and expatriate players. Additionally, establishing a strong transition system between the youth academy and the A team is targeted. The salability of transferred players will also be important. The management welcomed Özen's long-term model positively. Eduard Graf has been reappointed as head of the scouting organization, and transfer and player scouting processes will be managed centrally under Özen. Goalkeeper Ersin Destanoğlu's agent stated that he wants to stay in the team if contract terms improve; the parties will meet again after the national team camp. Nevertheless, a new goalkeeper transfer is planned.