Arda Turan Named Shakhtar Donetsk Head Coach Following Spells at Barcelona and Atlético Madrid

Ex-Barcelona and Atlético Madrid midfielder Arda Turan has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, in a move backed by the club’s director of football, Darijo Srna. The 38-year-old has signed a two-year contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.

Turan brings with him a wealth of experience from a distinguished playing career. He began his professional journey at Galatasaray before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2011, where he became an integral part of Diego Simeone’s side. During his time at the Spanish capital, he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, and reached the UEFA Champions League final.

In 2015, Turan joined FC Barcelona in a €34 million transfer. Although his debut was delayed due to the club’s transfer ban, he went on to make 55 appearances, scoring 15 goals and providing 10 assists. He contributed to Barcelona’s domestic success, helping the team win La Liga, two Copa del Rey titles, and the Supercopa de España.

After retiring as a player in 2022, Turan began his coaching career at Turkish side Eyüpspor in April 2023. Under his leadership, the club earned promotion to the Süper Lig and finished sixth the following season. His tenure saw 45 wins in 84 matches, with a 54% win rate and an attacking style of play that produced 143 goals.

Now taking on his first managerial role outside Turkey, Turan has expressed his ambition to lead Shakhtar Donetsk to further success both in Ukraine and in European competitions. In his statement, he said, “I am proud to join Shakhtar, a great club with a rich history and strong traditions. This team is well known across Europe and is driven to win every match. I hope to contribute to the club’s legacy and bring our fans many joyful moments through our football. We are deeply motivated to win trophies, both in Ukraine and in European competitions.”

His appointment reflects a broader vision by Shakhtar’s leadership to invest in ambitious young coaches with international experience. Srna, a club legend, played a pivotal role in the decision, while general director Serhii Palkin described Turan as “a legend of European football” who aligns with the club’s strategic direction.

Turan is already working on strengthening the squad and is reportedly targeting several Turkish players, including Ahmed Kutucu and Barış Yılmaz from Galatasaray, as well as İsmail Yüksek and Emre Mor from Fenerbahçe.