Volkan Demirel facts for kids
Demirel with Fenerbahçe in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Volkan Demirel | ||
| Date of birth | 27 October 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Istanbul, Turkey | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2000 | Kartalspor | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2002 | Kartalspor | 51 | (0) |
| 2002–2019 | Fenerbahçe | 396 | (0) |
| Total | 447 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| 2001 | Turkey U20 | 5 | (0) |
| 2001–2003 | Turkey U21 | 17 | (0) |
| 2004–2014 | Turkey | 63 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2019–2021 | Fenerbahçe (assistant) | ||
| 2021–2022 | Fatih Karagümrük | ||
| 2022–2024 | Hatayspor | ||
| 2024–2025 | Bodrum | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Volkan Demirel is a famous Turkish football coach and former goalkeeper. He was born on October 27, 1981. For many years, he was the main goalkeeper for Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national team.
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Playing for Clubs
Volkan Demirel was born in Fatih, Istanbul. He started his football journey at Kartalspor when he was 18 years old in 1999. The very next year, he became their main goalkeeper. He played in 51 matches for Kartalspor over two seasons. This led to him joining Fenerbahçe in 2002.
When he first joined Fenerbahçe, he was a backup goalkeeper. He made his first appearance for the club in April 2003. After the main goalkeeper left, Volkan played in 19 league matches. He helped Fenerbahçe win the 2003–04 Süper Lig title.
In the following years, Volkan continued to play for Fenerbahçe. He won another Süper Lig title in the 2004–05 season. He faced competition for his spot but often became the first-choice goalkeeper.
A big moment for Volkan was in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League. He was the starting goalkeeper when Fenerbahçe reached the quarter-finals for the first time ever. In a thrilling match against Sevilla, he saved three penalties in a shootout. This helped his team move forward in the competition. Fenerbahçe later lost to Chelsea. Volkan signed a new four-year contract with Fenerbahçe in 2009. He played for Fenerbahçe until 2019.
Playing for Turkey
Volkan Demirel also played for the Turkish national teams. He played for the Turkey U-20 team in 2001. Then, he played for the Turkey U21 national team from 2001 to 2003. He was called up to the main Turkey national team in 2004. His first game for the national team was in April 2004 against Belgium.
Volkan was the main goalkeeper for Turkey at the UEFA Euro 2008 championships. Turkey had a great tournament, reaching the semi-finals for the first time. Volkan played in all three group stage matches. However, he received a red card in a match against the Czech Republic. This meant he was suspended for two matches.
In 2014, Volkan Demirel decided to leave the Turkish national team. This happened after an disagreement with a fan before a match. After he left, another goalkeeper took over his spot.
Becoming a Coach
After a long career as a player, Volkan Demirel became a coach. On September 2, 2019, Fenerbahçe announced that he had retired from playing. He then started working as an assistant coach for the team. He worked under several different head coaches at Fenerbahçe.
In July 2021, he decided to leave his assistant coaching role at Fenerbahçe.
Coaching Fatih Karagümrük
On December 17, 2021, Volkan Demirel became the manager of Fatih Karagümrük. This was his first job as a head coach. His first match as manager was a 1–0 win against Göztepe. He stayed with the club until May 2022.
Coaching Hatayspor
In September 2022, Demirel signed a contract to coach Hatayspor. He managed the team for almost two years, until May 2024.
Coaching Bodrum
Most recently, on October 30, 2024, Bodrum appointed Volkan Demirel as their new head coach. However, he parted ways with Bodrum by mutual agreement on February 3, 2025.
About His Life
Volkan Demirel is married to Zeynep Sever, who was once Miss Belgium. They have two daughters. Their names are Yade, born in February 2014, and Yeda, born in September 2017.
Honours and Awards
Volkan Demirel won many titles during his career.
With Fenerbahçe
- Süper Lig (Turkish League): 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11, 2013–14
- Turkish Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13
- Turkish Super Cup: 2007, 2009, 2014
With Turkey National Team
- UEFA European Championship bronze medalist: 2008
See also
In Spanish: Volkan Demirel para niños
