Bülent Korkmaz (born 24 November 1968), colloquially known by his given nicknames "Büyük Kaptan"[2][3] (lit.'Great Captain') and "Cengaver"[4][5] (lit.'Warrior'), is a Turkish former professional footballer and current manager of TFF 1. Lig club Esenler Erokspor.
Korkmaz was a one club man during his club career,[6] playing as a centre-back for Galatasaray for his whole career for 18 consecutive seasons between 1987 and 2005, winning 8 Süper Lig, 6 Turkish Cup, 5 Turkish Super Cup,1 UEFA Cup and 1 UEFA Super Cup titles.[6][7][8]
Korkmaz started his career at Galatasaray Futbol Akademisi as a goalkeeper in 1979.[citation needed] He changed his field role to become a defender following the advice from his youth coach.[citation needed] He was offered a professional contract by German club Bayer Leverkusen at the age of 16 but he chose to stay at Galatasaray and he was eventually promoted to senior squad in 1987.
On 30 August 2005, Korkmaz was appointed as the assistant manager at Gençlerbirliği S.K.,[11] and resigned during the same season. In January 2007, he signed in Kayseri Erciyesspor as head coach while the team were sitting at the bottom of the ladder. Under Korkmaz's management, Kayseri Erciyesspor reached the final of 2006–07 Turkish Cup, losing 0–1 to Beşiktaş J.K., however; spotting 17th position, they relegated at the end of the season.
On 23 February 2009, after the departure of Michael Skibbe, Korkmaz was appointed as the head coach of Galatasaray.[12] Putting a performance of 7 wins out of 15 official games, his was sacked by the club in June 2009.[13]
On 8 November 2011, after the resignation of Yücel İldiz, Korkmaz joined Karabükspor as the head coach.[14] Taking the team over from 16th position of standings, he managed the team to finish the season at 12th place, for a safe avoiding the relegation. In same season, Karabükspor reached semi-finals at 2011–12 Turkish Cup, for the first time at club's history.
Korkmaz was described as "an aggressive and powerful defender" by Bleacher Report, in 2014.[17]Ozan Kabak, another home-grown Galatasaray player, expressed that he idolised Korkmaz, in 2020.[18]
Personal life
Korkmaz was born in Malatya in 1968. His younger brother, Mert Korkmaz (born 1971) is also a former professional footballer, played also for Galatasaray and holds 5 caps for Turkey. Korkmaz is married with 2 daughters.
^"Galatasaray Dergisi'nin 206. sayısı GS Store'larda satışta" [The 206th edition of Galatasaray Magazine is out at GS Stores] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 15 January 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021. Galatasaray tarihinin önemli simgelerinden biri olmayı hak eden, tekmeye kafa uzatan adam, hırsı, çalışkanlığı ve korkusuzluğu ile hafızalarımıza kazınan 'Büyük Kaptan' Bülent Korkmaz'ın Galatasaray ve milli takım kariyerinde elde ettiği başarılarının hikayesi yeni sayıda…
^"Bülent Korkmaz Sözleşme İmzaladı" [Bülent Korkmaz signed in [contract]] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021. Galatasaray'ın yeni teknik direktörü Bülent Korkmaz, bugün Florya Metin Oktay Tesisleri Turgay Vardar Basın Odası'nda Başkan Adnan Polat'ın katıldığı imza töreninde resmi sözleşmeyi imzaladı.
^ ab"Kupa Beyi: Bülent Korkmaz" [The cup esquire: Bülent Korkmaz] (in Turkish). Galatasaray S.K. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021. Efsaneler Suat Kaya ve Hakan Şükür gibi ligde 8 kez şampiyonluk yaşayan Bülent Korkmaz, Türkiye Kupası'nde sarı-kırmızılı formayla en çok kupa kazanan isim konumunda. 1988-89 sezonunda sahneye çıkan "Cesuryürek" sırasıyla 1991, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2000 ve 2005 yıllarında 6 kez sarı-kırmızılı formayla kupayı kaldırdı...
