Latest news with #OrkunKokcu
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Premier League manager is told ‘f*** you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row
EX-PREM boss Bruno Lage has been embroiled in an astonishing touchline spat with his OWN player. The Benfica boss watched his side see off Auckland City 6-0 in the Club World Cup on Friday night. 3 3 Benfica struggled to break down the Kiwi minnows, taking almost an hour to find the opener. Lage decided to shuffle his pack in the Orlando heat, replacing Orkun Kokcu with ex-Swansea City midfielder Renato Sanches. But Kokcu was furious at being subbed, refusing to shake Lage's hand as he skulked from the field. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims Kokcu turned and shouted "f*** you" at his manager before taking his place on the bench. A furious Lage confronted Kokcu and was seen shushing him by placing a finger on his lips. And after Sanches netted Benfica's third, the boss headed back to the bench to carry on the feud. Kerem Akturkoglu was seen holding Kokcu back, preventing the incident from escalating as Lage again shushed his own player. Lage claimed after the match that Kokcu was guilty of only wanting to "win and score goals". He said: "We decided that Renato should come on. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. Bayern Munich beat Boca Juniors 2-1 at the Club World Cup "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. "That's how it was today, too. I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. "I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." 3 Lage, 49, took charge of Wolves in the Premier League between June 2021 and October 2022. He won just 19 of 51 games at Molineux, but was hampered by an injury crisis to his strikers. Julen Lopetegui replaced Lage in the Midlands, with the Portuguese taking charge of Botofago in Brazil before joining Benfica for a second stint last summer.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Extraordinary moment former Premier League boss is told 'F*** YOU' by his own player in feisty Club World Cup spat - before SHUSHING riled-up star when his substitution paid off moments later
A former Premier League manager was caught in an astonishing X-rated spat with his own player after the star reacted furiously to being substituted at the Club World Cup on Friday. Benfica boss Bruno Lage, who previously managed Wolves between 2021 and 2022 in the Premier League, guided his side to a 6-0 win over New Zealand outfit Auckland City — but victory was overshadowed by an extraordinary row on the touchline midway through the second half. In the 62nd minute, with his side 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Angel Di Maria and Vangelis Pavlidis, Lage opted to shuffle his pack and substituted midfield stalwart Orkun Kokcu for former Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain star Renato Sanches. Furious with his manager's decision, the Turkish midfielder left the pitch in a sulk and refused to shake Lage's hand, a gesture which is often performed between a player and his coach before heading for the substitutes' bench. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Kokcu shouted 'f*** you' in Lage's direction as the row intensified, before reluctantly taking his seat alongside team-mates in the dugout. Lage angrily told his player to be quiet by shushing him in response. Midfielder Orkun Kokcu was furious at being hooked off and refused to shake his manager's hand (left) before igniting a fierce row between the pair on the substitutes' bench (right) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pedro Fonseca (@pedrofonsecaoficial) Moments later, to the manager's delight, substitute Sanches scored to put Benfica three ahead, and the 49-year-old coach could not resist taking a stab at Kokcu. Lage went over to say a few words to the player, covering his mouth with his hand. It is claimed he was telling Kokcu that he a good nose for the game. Visibly angered by his manager's words and actions, the 24-year-old leapt to his feet and scolded Lage, raising his index finger with a furious facial expression. In response, the Portuguese manager again put his finger to his mouth and shushed Kokcu, who needed to be held back by team-mate Kerem Akturkoglu as he went to leave the bench. Benfica went on to win the match 6-0, with Leandro Barreiro scoring twice and Di Maria netting his second penalty of the game deep into injury time. After the match, Lage addressed the furious row and explained why he hooked Kokcu off midway through the second half. 'Orkun Kokcu wanted to win and score more goals, but we decided that Renato should come on,' he said. 'Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. That's how it was today, too.' 'I saw the behavior of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience. After the game, Lage admitted the midfielder's reaction and behaviour was out of character 'He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. 'I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly.'
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool want to sign 19-G/A star who feels Arne Slot is the 'best coach in the world'
Liverpool want to sign 19-G/A star who feels Arne Slot is the 'best coach in the world' Liverpool want to sign 19-G/A star who feels Arne Slot is the 'best coach in the world' Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing the Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu at the end of the season. The 24-year-old Turkish international has done quite well for the Portuguese outfit this season, and he has 11 goals and eight assists to his name. Advertisement According to a report from Portuguese publication Record, Liverpool are pursuing the player, and Arne Slot is particularly keen on a reunion with the midfielder. Slot has worked with the player during their time together at Feyenoord. Kokcu was a key player for him back then. Orkun Kokcu could fancy Premier League switch Orkun Kokcu in action for Benfica (Photo by) The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be quite exciting for the player, and it will be a massive challenge for him as well. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the chance to play for them can be hard for any player. In addition to that, the opportunity to reunite with his former manager will be an added incentive. Advertisement Kokcu rates the Liverpool manager highly, and he has previously claimed that Slot is the best coach in the world. Kokcu said of Slot: 'He made me the player I am today. He is the best coach in the world.' It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can negotiate a reasonable deal for the midfielder in the coming months. They are unlikely to pay €150 million for him, and any club looking to sign him will want a reasonable deal. The midfielder is entering his peak years, and he will look to establish himself as a key player for Liverpool if the move goes through.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Champions League: Benfica see off Monaco to reach last 16
Benfica snatched a nailbiting 3-3 draw against Monaco on Tuesday to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the play-off round. Monaco twice led on the night and came close to forcing extra-time but Orkun Kokcu's 84th minute equaliser helped Benfica scrape through in Lisbon, with Barcelona or Liverpool awaiting in the next round. Kerem Akturkoglu put the hosts ahead against the run of play, with Takumi Minamino levelling for Monaco after 32 minutes. Eliesse Ben Seghir fired the visitors ahead but Vangelis Pavlidis struck from the spot to keep the score tied on the night. French youngster George Ilenikhena netted in the 81st minute for Monaco but Kokcu prodded home to send Benfica through. Monaco hammered Nantes 7-1 on Saturday in the French top flight, sharpening their pencils ahead of their crucial exam at the Estadio da Luz. Both sides were without key players through injuy and suspension, with Benfica missing Angel Di Maria among others, while Monaco started with just one recognised midfielder. Wingers Maghnes Akliouche and Ben Seghir played more centrally than usual and both shone in Lisbon, despite ending up on the losing side. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a good save to deny Monaco's Krepin Diatta early on, as the Ligue 1 side looked to get back on level terms in the tie and had the better of the first half. However it was the hosts who took the lead after superb work by Benfica striker Pavlidis. (France 24 with AFP) Read more on FRANCE 24 English
