Turgutluspor names 22-year-old Seynep Mestan as head coach
The Turgutlu club named an active 2004-born player to lead the men’s senior team as it seeks to restart amid sporting problems.
Turgutluspor has named 22-year-old Seynep Mestan as its new head coach, a highly unusual move in men’s football. The appointment places a still-active player in charge of the senior men’s team as the club embarks on a period of change.
Young player takes senior role
The club, based in the town of Turgutlu near Manisa, has a history of competing in higher Turkish leagues but currently faces significant sporting and organizational challenges. Club officials said they decided to "start from scratch" in an effort to reverse the slide.
Mestan was born in 2004 and until now has been an active footballer, having represented several teams across Turkey. Her playing background is the central reason the club presented when announcing the unusual appointment.
The decision breaks with common practice in the men’s game, where head coaches are almost always older and usually retired players or long-time coaches. Turgutluspor’s move will attract attention as the season progresses and the team’s results under Mestan become clearer.
The appointment was made public on 9 September 2026. Observers will watch whether the gamble pays off as the club attempts to rebuild on and off the pitch.
Photo: press material from the event
