Mohamed Salah: Turkish dream already turning into a nightmare

A crushing European exit and Fatih Tekke’s shock resignation have abruptly halted Mohamed Salah’s promising start at Trabzonspor this summer.

After nine glorious seasons and numerous trophies with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah decided to move to Turkey in search of a new challenge. However, less than a month after joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer, the 34-year-old Egyptian forward has suffered his first major disappointment. The Turkish club were thrashed 4-0 by Ferencváros in Budapest on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League play-off.

Having already lost the first leg at home 1-0, Trabzonspor were eliminated 5-0 on aggregate and will now continue their European campaign in the Conference League. The Black Sea side were reduced to ten men in the 13th minute following Ruslan Malinovskyi’s dismissal, before Sidny Lopes Cabral was also sent off in the 57th. Callum O’Dowda, Marius Corbu, Bamidele Yusuf and Krisztián Lisztes scored the four goals for the Hungarian hosts. Salah started the match but was unable to make an impact before being substituted in the 64th minute.

Fatih Tekke resigns, but Trabzonspor reject his departure

The Europa League collapse immediately triggered a crisis. Fatih Tekke announced his resignation live on television without previously informing the club’s hierarchy.

“No one knows, but I am resigning with immediate effect from the position I have held for 18 months,” the coach declared, believing he had to take personal responsibility for the humiliation.

The board nevertheless rejected what it considered an emotional decision and confirmed that Tekke would remain in charge for the upcoming league match against Amedspor.

The European humiliation contrasts sharply with Salah’s encouraging start in the Turkish league. After coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Kasımpaşa, the former Liverpool star scored a match-winning brace against İstanbul Başakşehir in a 2-1 victory on his first Süper Lig start. He also had two further goals disallowed. Despite the brutal European elimination, Trabzonspor remain unbeaten after two league matches with four points. Salah stated after the game that he intends to turn the disappointment into motivation and continue chasing trophies in his new colours.

Read also : Two Saudi clubs are negotiating with Riyad Mahrez.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

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