Stefano Pioli emerges as Trabzonspor candidate to replace Fatih Tekke

Trabzonspor are considering former AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli as they search for a permanent successor to Fatih Tekke.

The Turkish club have appointed former player Huseyin Cimsir as caretaker manager after ending Tekke’s time in charge. According to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, Trabzonspor officials are studying the possibility of appointing Pioli and are expected to hold talks with the Italian in the coming days.

Pioli has managed several leading clubs in Italy, including Lazio, Inter and Fiorentina, before taking charge of Milan in 2019.

He guided Milan to the Serie A title in the 2021-22 season and was named the league’s manager of the season. In the following campaign, Pioli led the club to the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they were beaten by Inter.

Pioli returned to Fiorentina on 12 July 2025 and signed a contract running until 30 June 2028. However, his second spell at the club ended quickly after a run of poor results.

Fiorentina terminated Pioli’s contract on 3 November 2025 following a series of negative results.

Trabzonspor are continuing to assess their options as they seek to appoint a new manager. Tekke officially left his position after the club’s results declined.

Tekke had been in charge of Trabzonspor since 2025 and led them to victory in the Turkish Cup during his tenure.

The club’s squad includes Egypt international Mohamed Salah. He scored one goal and set up another as Trabzonspor recorded a 5-0 victory over Genclerbirligi in the fourth round of the Turkish league.

That goal took Salah’s tally in the Turkish league to four.