Tolunay sets sights on UEFA Cup this year
![[Resim: uefa.jpg]](http://medya.todayszaman.com/todayszaman/2008/07/27/uefa.jpg)
Last year, Kayserispor head coach Tolunay Kafkas had said he was determined to grab the Fortis Turkey Cup -- formerly known as the Federation Cup, a soccer competition run by the Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) in which all 54 teams playing in Turkey’s Super League and Second League compete -- but we failed to take him seriously until the final match between Kayserispor and Gençlerbirliği in Bursa in May 2008.
Our eyes were fixed on Tolunay as his team raised the Turkey Cup after 42 years. Now the coach has set his goal for the team even higher, aiming for the UEFA Cup.
A year after Kafkas declared his Turkey Cup ambition we found Kayserispor in Kizilcahamam, Ankara. Kafkas had agreed to an interview with Sunday’s Zaman at the team’s training camp, and this time we were ready to pay attention to any goal he would declare for the coming season. Yet, what we found was a coach who is realistic and who knows his limits. We discovered that beneath the ambitious and aggressive style is a person who can admit his mistakes.
Last year, you had set the Turkish Cup as your goal, and you managed to attain it. What do you plan to do differently this season?
This season we will be competing in the UEFA Cup. We attach great importance to this cup as this is a new and important opportunity for Kayserispor. As the whole community is aware, we will give it our best effort. By doing so, we can get through the playoff stage. I believe we can be quite successful in the group matches. As for the national league, we will continue to play good soccer as our fans expect us to and will earn their appreciation.
You are constantly working on self-improvement. What are your current objectives?
I like to learn. I think you can learn something from everyone, and this is what I try to do. Moreover, it is my intention to do a great service for the country’s soccer and for Kayserispor. I believe that success depends on stability. Changing clubs frequently would not bring much success, I surmise.
What lesson did you take from seeing Sivasspor’s success in the last season?
Throughout my life, I have preferred to take a realistic view of things. I have never made utopian statements. It is the wish of everyone in Turkey to see a champion among Anatolian soccer teams. Statements are frequently made to this effect, but these never go beyond being mere words. Unfortunately, no concrete steps are taken to make this dream come true. As I said previously, currently, I don’t see much possibility that any soccer team other than Trabzonspor will become Anatolia’s champion.
Will Gökhan Ünal’s departure be a significant loss?
Of course it is a loss, but a true loss would be losing a well-performing Gökhan. Honestly, Gökhan did not play well last season. He had his reasons for his poor performance. People may have highs and lows in certain periods. If he had demonstrated the same performance as he had in the past, we would be near the top of the league like Sivasspor. Sometimes, you want to grab something, but it just slips out of your hands.
How would you describe the ideal player?
For me, a player should be dynamic and passionate. I like those types of players and I prefer them in my transfers. Moreover, a player should be strong and able to put all his energy into the game. The players who take the initiative in the game are ideal players in my view.
Which of last season’s matches was depressing for you?
Actually, none of them was depressing. But some of them were maddening! In one such match, we played against Fenerbahçe and were beaten 2-1.
The fans were enraged by the referee’s decisions in that game. And you made some harsh remarks about the referees. Are you bothered by the fact that your matches will be officiated by these bad referees?
No, I am not. Frankly, I must tell you that I was acting on impulse in that match. However, this is the way it is in the world. There are always good and bad referees. Moreover, this is not limited to referees. There are bad seeds among coaches, executives and reporters. What is important is to help the good ones gain the upper hand.
Do you regret your actions in that game?
Yes, certainly. Sometimes, people may express themselves in the wrong way. Or they may be misunderstood. One such time was after the Fenerbahçe match. Actually, I am keen on using the proper words, but I selected the wrong ones in that instance. It was the outburst of my anger. I admit it was wrong. Sooner or later, I find the correct way.
‘One must know me to understand me’
Do you think you are properly understood?
One must know me very well to better understand me. My behavior may cause trouble for those who cannot understand me.
Both as a player and as a coach you are known for your aggressive approach. When you were playing for Trabzonspor, this approach was acceptable to the fans. How do you perceive yourself as a coach?
I do not agree with you about my being aggressive. Last season, only in our match against Fenerbahçe did I act on impulse and it was wrong. I am somewhat ambitious, and I never hide it. But I can control my emotions when necessary. When I was a player, I could not do this. As a coach, I can control them, and I must do this.
Do your ambitions serve as a driving force or are they manifestations of your nature?
Both, I think that successful people in this world are the ambitious ones. This is what I tell my players. But I do not do anything unintentionally. I am straightforward in expressing my ideas. I do not fear repercussions in doing so. This was the same when I was a player and this is so now as well. I say what I believe is true, but I do not act disrespectfully in doing so. I take pains not to hurt anyone, but I can be harsh toward disrespectful people.
You stressed that there is a peaceful environment at Kayserispor. How long do you plan to stay with the team?
My contract will end in two years. But for the sake of stability, all Kayserispor must be in full agreement about this issue. The club president, executives and fans must have a common stance. There is no doubt that long-term, stable programs will bear fruit. The Turkish Cup being won after 42 years is a good example.
Don’t you have any problems within the club?
We are in a good shape compared to many clubs. We have no debts. There will always be small problems. For instance, we have problems regarding infrastructure. Yet, it is not easy to become a good brand. These things require certain processes and patience.
http://www.zaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?...&bolum=127
![[Resim: uefa.jpg]](http://medya.todayszaman.com/todayszaman/2008/07/27/uefa.jpg)
Last year, Kayserispor head coach Tolunay Kafkas had said he was determined to grab the Fortis Turkey Cup -- formerly known as the Federation Cup, a soccer competition run by the Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) in which all 54 teams playing in Turkey’s Super League and Second League compete -- but we failed to take him seriously until the final match between Kayserispor and Gençlerbirliği in Bursa in May 2008.
Our eyes were fixed on Tolunay as his team raised the Turkey Cup after 42 years. Now the coach has set his goal for the team even higher, aiming for the UEFA Cup.
A year after Kafkas declared his Turkey Cup ambition we found Kayserispor in Kizilcahamam, Ankara. Kafkas had agreed to an interview with Sunday’s Zaman at the team’s training camp, and this time we were ready to pay attention to any goal he would declare for the coming season. Yet, what we found was a coach who is realistic and who knows his limits. We discovered that beneath the ambitious and aggressive style is a person who can admit his mistakes.
Last year, you had set the Turkish Cup as your goal, and you managed to attain it. What do you plan to do differently this season?
This season we will be competing in the UEFA Cup. We attach great importance to this cup as this is a new and important opportunity for Kayserispor. As the whole community is aware, we will give it our best effort. By doing so, we can get through the playoff stage. I believe we can be quite successful in the group matches. As for the national league, we will continue to play good soccer as our fans expect us to and will earn their appreciation.
You are constantly working on self-improvement. What are your current objectives?
I like to learn. I think you can learn something from everyone, and this is what I try to do. Moreover, it is my intention to do a great service for the country’s soccer and for Kayserispor. I believe that success depends on stability. Changing clubs frequently would not bring much success, I surmise.
What lesson did you take from seeing Sivasspor’s success in the last season?
Throughout my life, I have preferred to take a realistic view of things. I have never made utopian statements. It is the wish of everyone in Turkey to see a champion among Anatolian soccer teams. Statements are frequently made to this effect, but these never go beyond being mere words. Unfortunately, no concrete steps are taken to make this dream come true. As I said previously, currently, I don’t see much possibility that any soccer team other than Trabzonspor will become Anatolia’s champion.
Will Gökhan Ünal’s departure be a significant loss?
Of course it is a loss, but a true loss would be losing a well-performing Gökhan. Honestly, Gökhan did not play well last season. He had his reasons for his poor performance. People may have highs and lows in certain periods. If he had demonstrated the same performance as he had in the past, we would be near the top of the league like Sivasspor. Sometimes, you want to grab something, but it just slips out of your hands.
How would you describe the ideal player?
For me, a player should be dynamic and passionate. I like those types of players and I prefer them in my transfers. Moreover, a player should be strong and able to put all his energy into the game. The players who take the initiative in the game are ideal players in my view.
Which of last season’s matches was depressing for you?
Actually, none of them was depressing. But some of them were maddening! In one such match, we played against Fenerbahçe and were beaten 2-1.
The fans were enraged by the referee’s decisions in that game. And you made some harsh remarks about the referees. Are you bothered by the fact that your matches will be officiated by these bad referees?
No, I am not. Frankly, I must tell you that I was acting on impulse in that match. However, this is the way it is in the world. There are always good and bad referees. Moreover, this is not limited to referees. There are bad seeds among coaches, executives and reporters. What is important is to help the good ones gain the upper hand.
Do you regret your actions in that game?
Yes, certainly. Sometimes, people may express themselves in the wrong way. Or they may be misunderstood. One such time was after the Fenerbahçe match. Actually, I am keen on using the proper words, but I selected the wrong ones in that instance. It was the outburst of my anger. I admit it was wrong. Sooner or later, I find the correct way.
‘One must know me to understand me’
Do you think you are properly understood?
One must know me very well to better understand me. My behavior may cause trouble for those who cannot understand me.
Both as a player and as a coach you are known for your aggressive approach. When you were playing for Trabzonspor, this approach was acceptable to the fans. How do you perceive yourself as a coach?
I do not agree with you about my being aggressive. Last season, only in our match against Fenerbahçe did I act on impulse and it was wrong. I am somewhat ambitious, and I never hide it. But I can control my emotions when necessary. When I was a player, I could not do this. As a coach, I can control them, and I must do this.
Do your ambitions serve as a driving force or are they manifestations of your nature?
Both, I think that successful people in this world are the ambitious ones. This is what I tell my players. But I do not do anything unintentionally. I am straightforward in expressing my ideas. I do not fear repercussions in doing so. This was the same when I was a player and this is so now as well. I say what I believe is true, but I do not act disrespectfully in doing so. I take pains not to hurt anyone, but I can be harsh toward disrespectful people.
You stressed that there is a peaceful environment at Kayserispor. How long do you plan to stay with the team?
My contract will end in two years. But for the sake of stability, all Kayserispor must be in full agreement about this issue. The club president, executives and fans must have a common stance. There is no doubt that long-term, stable programs will bear fruit. The Turkish Cup being won after 42 years is a good example.
Don’t you have any problems within the club?
We are in a good shape compared to many clubs. We have no debts. There will always be small problems. For instance, we have problems regarding infrastructure. Yet, it is not easy to become a good brand. These things require certain processes and patience.
http://www.zaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?...&bolum=127
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