Ersun Yanal

1990–2013

Yanal started his coaching career in 1990 at Sarayköyspor, a team located in the Sarayköy district of Denizli, where his family resided for many years. Ersun Yanal's career Süper Lig career started with Denizlispor in the 1995-1996 season. After Ümit Kayıhan's resignation, Yanal took charge of Denizlispor in the last 6 weeks of the league, experiencing 1 win, 2 draws and 3 defeats in 6 games. Following his management of Denizlispor, he was appointed manager of TFF Second League club Yeni Salihlispor in 1997, winning the Afyonkarahisar Çay Municipality District Governorship Cup in the 1997-1998 season with the club. He was appointed as manager of Süper Lig side Ankaragücü on 17 July 2000. Under Yanal's managership, Ankaragücü saw two successive seasons, becoming 6th in the 2000–01 season and 4th in the 2001–02 season with even some victories against The Big Three. Yanal was appointed head of Gençlerbirliği on 19 June 2002. He reached the 4th round of the UEFA Cup with the club and was knocked out by eventual champions Valencia 2–1 on aggregate in extra-time in the second leg. He also lost the final of the Turkish Cup twice to Trabzonspor in 2003 and 2004. In April 2004 he was appointed as head coach of the Turkish national team. Yanal's tactics showed their fruit immediately as Turkey won two friendlies against Australia, beating them 3–1 and 1–0. Yanal's successful run was ended by South Korea after a 2–1 defeat. His job was to secure qualification for the…

Yanal is known for playing a self-destructive tactic of going all out on attack and leaving huge holes in the midfield and defense. Teams coached by Yanal are recognised for conceding almost as many goals as they scored.

Yanal was born in İzmir, Turkey. He graduated from Manisa Celal Bayar University in 1984. Yanal has two kids and is married to İrem Ağan, the daughter of former CHP Bodrum Mayor Mazlum Ağan. He is of Kosovo Albanian origin.

Managerial honours

Fenerbahçe Süper Lig (1): 2013–14

Individual honours

Turkish Manager of the Year: 2014