Huseyin Cimsir returns as Trabzonspor interim manager after Fatih Tekke exit

Trabzonspor have appointed former player Huseyin Cimsir as interim manager after Fatih Tekke left the Turkish club following a run of poor results.

Cimsir will oversee preparations for Trabzonspor’s next league fixture against Genclerbirligi on Sunday, 6 September, while the club’s board continues its search for a permanent head coach.

In a statement, Trabzonspor said: “Our board of directors continues its diligent work regarding the position of head coach of our club. While the process of selecting our new head coach continues, one of our former coaches, Huseyin Cimsir, will prepare our team for Sunday’s match against Genclerbirligi on 6 September.”

The match will be Trabzonspor’s fourth of the Turkish league season. Cimsir’s temporary return marks his second spell in charge of the club, having previously managed the side during the 2019-20 season.

The 46-year-old is regarded as one of Trabzonspor’s historic players. He spent much of his playing career with the club before retiring in 2013, and has now been asked to guide the team through a period of uncertainty after Tekke’s departure.

Tekke’s exit was confirmed after Trabzonspor suffered another defeat, losing 2-1 to Amedspor in the third round of the Turkish league. Egyptian international Mohamed Salah played the full match and scored Trabzonspor’s only goal.

The result came after a heavy 4-0 defeat by Hungarian club Ferencvaros in the play-off round for the Europa League. Trabzonspor had initially rejected Tekke’s resignation following that loss, but the club later decided to end his tenure after the defeat by Amedspor.

Tekke had been in charge of Trabzonspor since 2025 and led the club to victory in the Turkish Cup. However, the team’s recent setbacks have prompted the board to begin looking for a new permanent manager.

The club has not yet announced how long Cimsir will remain in the role, nor has it revealed the identity of the candidates being considered for the full-time position. His immediate task will be to prepare Trabzonspor for the Genclerbirligi fixture as the club attempts to halt its poor run of form.

Trabzonspor’s board said the selection process for the next head coach was continuing, with Cimsir taking responsibility for the team in the meantime. The former midfielder therefore returns to a familiar environment, but under very different circumstances from his previous spell as manager.

The appointment gives Cimsir an opportunity to steady a side that has suffered defeats in both domestic and European competition. His first match back in charge will come against Genclerbirligi on Sunday, with the club still seeking a permanent successor to Tekke.