Beşiktaş’s new Manager Bernhard Schuster has signed with Beşiktaş  in a ceremony attended by Chairman Yıldırım Demirören.

The signature ceremony took place at BJK Nevzat Demir Sports facilities in front of large group sports reporters.

In addition to Mr. Demirören, Beşiktaş Vice-Chairman and Head of Football Committee Serdar Adalı and Press Spokesperson, Football Committee and Board Memebr Responsible for Communications Prof. Dr. Mete Düren were also present at the event.

At the start of the ceremony, Beşiktaş Chairman Yıldırım Demirören took the floor and said:
“Before I go any further, I’d like thank our former Manager Mustafa Denizli, who had given us two valuable titles the previous season. Under his guidance, our team ended this season on high note again, but he had to leave us due to his unexpected health problems. Thanks to him, we still have a great team in our hands. It will not be easy to follow his footsteps, but we have great confidence in our new Manager, who is with us right now and known all over Europe. We believe his character and style will help us go all the way this season and match Mustafa Denizli’s performance. When one takes a close look at how far we have come under this administration, he will realize how great we are. But we are just beginning. As long as our fans stand by us and support this team, there is nothing we cannot achieve. I have no doubt our fans will give Mr. Schuster all the credit he needs. At this moment, all we ask for is just a little patience until everything falls into right place.  The rumors that we forced Mr. Denizli to resign and use his health problems as an excuse to fire him politely surely do not reflect reality. How can I and the Head of Beşiktaş Health Committee Dr. Mete Düren change Mustafa Denizli’s medical records? If someone is really ill there are many ways to verify it. If someone proves that there is nothing wrong with Mr. Denizli, we are more than ready to take him back. I don’t know where the press picks up these rumors from. One thing is for sure they are not Beşiktaş friendly. And we have no time to deal with these false rumors. To top it all, the same circles wrongfully claimed that we started negotiating with Mr. Schuster a month ago, but actually we met him last week. I’d like thank our new Manager for clearing this point for us. It seems a group of reporters have nothing to do but spread lies about us. With this opportunity I wish Mr. Schuster lots of luck next season.”

Following Beşiktaş Chairman’s comments, Bernhard Schuster expressed his own feelings, “I am so excited that I want to go out and give our team their first training with me. But I guess I have to wait a few days more. I think this sums up how I feel now.”
When queried about his long-time rival and former Barcelona Manager Rijkard, who is currently managing Galatasaray here, the German Manager did not blink an eye: “I beat him while I was coaching Real-Madrid so this type of rivalry is nothing new to me. But sportsmanship comes first and Rijkard is a real gentlemen. It is going to be an interesting experience to challenge him once more. Of course, I would like come on top again but let’s not forget, compared to the league title, the individual matches do not matter much. What counts is the championship at the end of the season.” 

In reply to questions about his knowledge of Turkish football and Beşiktaş Mr.Schuster continued:  “I have watched Beşiktaş many times on TV so I have a pretty good idea what the team looks like. Turkish Football is on the upswing, that’s the reason why so many internationally known managers have been coming here lately.  The new Manager of the Turkish national team Gus Hiddink will also help improve the Turkish football. No one should worry about the future of football in this country. It is in good hands, and it will get better in a few years time. ”

Schuster went on to unveil some of his strategies for the next season: “I don’t know if you ever had a chance to watch me while I was playing. My playing and coaching are based on the same philosophy.  I like aggressive and offensive football. For me the match isn’t over until the final whistle. I am confident our fans will enjoy our style next season. When they return home from our matches they must be more then satisfied because we need them coming back and asking for more. Besides, without their backing we don’t go anywhere. Fans should always get what they pay for.” 

In reference to his previous contact with Fenerbahçe’s Manager Christoph Daum on his transfer to Beşiktaş, “I actually did not have a chance to talk to Mr. Daum about Turkey and Beşiktaş before coming here, but I got a lot of information from his former conditioner. He filled me in on everything I wanted to know. I always have great confidence in him so the things he told me had a serious influence on my decision of joining Beşiktaş. I know I’ve made the right decision. If I get an opportunity I will tank him.”

After some reporters insisted on asking him when he first talked to Beşiktaş Chairman Yıldırım Demirören and when he said “yes” to Beşiktaş, the German Coach responded patiently: “Just as I said before, I talked to him last week. I did not know him a month ago. After a couple of days of negotiations we have come to terms. And from then on, we are in constant contact, talking about Beşiktaş’s present and future players, as well as our plans for the next season. If we want to be successful, we must learn from our past mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.    

When a reporter pointed out the fact that the majority of internationally known managers coaching in Turkey often end up with poor results, Schuster disagreed: “This doesn’t only happen in Turkey. It is common all over the world. Teams like Beşiktaş, Barcelona and Real Madrid always aims at the top but they cannot be champions every year. But the expectations always fly high. So their Managers are the first ones who get the ax. As Beşiktaş, we will try to win all our matches, regardless of where we play, at home or away. Let me make myself perfectly clear, I came here to win. Losing is not a part of my vocabulary. I never think of losing. We may need a little luck along the way some days, but it’s the last thing we will need. All my players will learn to think this way.”  
About his thoughts on Beşiktaş’s new transfer Quaresma, “He is definitely a quality player. Like our management, I am delighted to have him on board. He is an experienced international star who has played for the best teams in Europe. Every coach wants to have players like him; they make the manager’s job easier because they have an ability to turn a game around for you. I know he is a little difficult player to coach, but I was like him when I was playing so we actually speak the same language.  No doubt, Beşiktaş has paid a handsome amount to acquire him, but I am sure he will give back every penny spent on him.  If the fans back him, everyone will see how great an asset Quaresma is for Beşiktaş.  His transfer to Beşiktaş was definitely a wise move. ” 
Finally, Beşiktaş’s new German Manager unveiled his transfer story to Beşiktaş: “The speculations on the timing of my transfer to Beşiktaş are not true because Beşiktaş contacted my manager only last week. Before that I was talking to other teams. We all got together in Spain four days ago and started negotiating that lasted couple of days. The negotiations ended last week not last month as most claimed. Why these dates are so important it is beyond my comprehension. I am happy to here; that’s all matters. The rest is history. I am sure you guys have other important things to write about.”   
At the end of all these speeches, the German Manager Bernhard Schuster has signed a two-year contract with Beşiktaş.