Arsenal hero lined up for shock international job
Mesut Ozil is reportedly being lined up for a role with the Turkey national team just six months after the Arsenal hero retired from football.
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The former Arsenal and Real Madrid attacking midfielder called time on his playing career back in March aged just 34.
The German was one of the best playmakers of his generation, recording 98 goals and 222 assists during his 17-year career and winning many trophies includingthe La Liga title, four FA Cups and the 2014 World Cup.
And it now appears he’s set to continue his remarkable football journey with a behind the scenes role – though perhaps not one that many would have predicted.
According to Bild, the Turkish FA are planning a huge reshuffle of their national team set-up and want Ozil to replace Hamit Altintop as the side’s general manager.
Additionally, it is said that they are weighing up sacking head coach Stefan Kuntz and replacing him with Joachim Low – the man who won the 2014 World Cup and managed Ozil throughout his entire international career.
The move to axe Kuntz may come as a surprise given that he has won 12 of his 20 games in charge of Turkey and has put them in a good place to qualify for Euro 2024.
The Crescent-Stars are second in their qualifying group, level on points with Croatia albeit having played a game more, but it should be said they are only three points ahead of Armenia and Wales with three games to go.
However, a 4-2 friendly defeat to Japan in their last game and Kuntz’s apparently deteriorating relationship with star player and captain Hakan Calhanoglu has raised questions about the manager’s future with the side.
Ozil was born in Germany to Turkish parents and has maintained a vey close relationship to the country throughout his entire life.
After leaving Arsenal following a fall out with Mikel Arteta, he ended his career in Turkey with spells at Fenerbahce and Basaksehir, though both were blighted by injury issues.
Turkey, who have Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir among their ranks, continue their quest for Euro 2024 qualification on 12th October against Croatia.
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