Hamza Hamzaoglu leaves Galatasaray

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 18 November 2015

Hamza Hamzaoglu leaves his role as Galatasaray head coach by mutual consent, with Claudio Taffarel taking temporary charge of the team.

Galatasaray head coach Hamza Hamzaoglu has left the club by mutual consent.

The Turkish champions are currently third in the Super Lig table, five points behind leaders Besiktas having lost two of their opening 11 domestic fixtures this season, including a 4-3 defeat to Rizespor before the international break.

Gala are also on the brink of exit from the Champions League, sitting third in Group C and needing to beat Atletico Madrid next Wednesday to keep themselves in contention for the knockout stages.

Hamzaoglu, 46, has been in charge of Galatasaray since December and guided the team to a domestic double last term, while he also won two league titles during his time as a player at the club.

"An agreement has been reached with Galatasaray football team coach, Hamza Hamzaoglu, to terminate his contract by mutual consent. We would like to thank him for services rendered to our club so far, and wish him success in his future career," read a statement from the club.

Former Brazil international goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel has been placed in temporary charge of the team.