Mohamed Salah's start at Trabzonspor has taken a dramatic turn after manager Fatih Tekke resigned live on television following a 4-0 Europa League play-off defeat to Ferencvaros in Hungary on Thursday night. The loss, combined with a one-goal deficit from the home first leg, saw Trabzonspor drop into the Conference League.
Manager resigns on air after heavy defeat
Tekke, who had been in charge for 18 months, quit during his post-match interview, taking full responsibility for the result. He said: "I am resigning from a very honourable position. Today's defeat is unacceptable. Misfortunes and bad luck are all acceptable, but I cannot accept this. I cannot sleep with this feeling. May everyone forgive me. We did our best."
He added: "We had a very sad night. Of course, the reason is me and my team. It was a sad night for both our country and our club. Until the red card, it seemed like a match that would go well. As a result, we couldn't qualify for the Europa League. For 18 months, day and night, my team and I have been thinking about how we can do better."
Former Premier League stars in lineup
Trabzonspor had invested heavily in experienced European talent, and Salah was not the only former Premier League player in the starting line-up. Andre Onana, on loan from Manchester United, was in goal, while ex-Manchester City defender Stefan Savic and former Southampton striker Paul Onuachu also featured.
Salah, who joined on a free transfer earlier this month, had scored his first two goals for the club against Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday. Upon signing a two-year deal, he said: "The last couple of days, it's an experience I have never had in my life. I'm here to win. I want to win something with this club because you guys have showed me so much love, and I really, really appreciate that."
Salah's Liverpool departure
Salah announced in March that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025/26 season, having reached an agreement to depart on a free transfer. The 34-year-old left Anfield with two Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
