| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Engin Firat | ||
| Date of birth | 11 June 1970 | ||
| Place of birth | Istanbul, Turkey | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 1997-1998 | Samsunspor (Assistant) | ||
| 1998-1999 | Antalyaspor (Assistant) | ||
| 2000-2002 | Eintracht Frankfurt (Technical Staff) | ||
| 2002 | Fenerbahçe S.K. (Assistant) | ||
| 2003 | LR Ahlen (Assistant) | ||
| 2004 | Incheon United (Assistant) | ||
| 2005-2006 | Sivasspor (Assistant) | ||
| 2006-2007 | Saipa (Assistant) | ||
| 2007-2008 | Kayseri Erciyesspor (Assistant) | ||
| 2008 | Iran (Assistant) | ||
| 2008 | Sepahan | ||
| 2011 | Gostaresh Foolad | ||
Engin Firat (born on June 11, 1970 in Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish head coach who last managed Gostaresh Foolad in Iran.
Just recently Firat was appointed into the international relations committee of The Saipa Cultural and sport Company in Teheran, which underlines his value in the Iranian Football world.
The Turkish born German football coach, started his professional career as an assistant coach for German legend Horst Hrubesch, at Turkish 1.League team Samsunspor in 1997. As a 27 year old in Pro-Soccer, he quickly earned his respect with the club and the players. So it was no surprise, when Hrubesch was sent by the club, Firat was asked to stay and become the assistant coach of new head coach, Joseph Jaranbinsky from the Czech Republic.
This made Engin Firat the youngest Professional Soccer Coach in Europe. Samsunspor finished the season with an excellent 5th place.
The next season Jarabinsky and Firat joined League-Rivals Antalyaspor. They finished a very successful season on the 6th spot, with the highest total points and rank in Club-history.
Between 2000 and 2002 Firat was a member of the technical staff of German Bundesliga Team Eintracht Frankfurt. He also did scouting for the team.
2002-2003 Firat joined Turkish giants Fenerbahçe S.K., as an assistant coach of German head coach Werner Lorant. They finished 2nd in the league and their historical 6-0 win over Rivals Galtasaray was the highlight of the season.
In January 2003 Lorant and Firat took over German 2nd league team LR Ahlen. The team was 17th at the beginning of the second half of the season finished far away from the relegation spots. They ranked 5th on the 2nd half of the season ranking.
Within that season Firat became head coach for 3 games, that made him only the second Turkish head coach in German Bundesliga history, after Mustafa Denizli.
In 2004 Lorant and Firat joined the newly founded south-Korean Pro team FC Incheon United. Due to family reasons Firat left the team after pre-season camp.
At the start of the 2005-06 season, Lorant and Firat took over the Turkish Premier-League team of Sivasspor. Sivasspor just went up from 2nd division and the coaching duo managed to create the most interesting team that season and they finished at very surprising 8th place. Also the pre-season “Cup of the republic” was won that year.
2006-2007 Firat was once again assistant coach to Werner Lorant, this time at Iranian Premier League Club Saipa FC. As Lorant resigned after 3 month, despite leading the league, the club offered Firat to take over as head coach.
With his working attitude and expertise Firat, in very short time, was able to convince the club management, from his qualities. Firat was honoured by this offer, but refused being loyal to his longtime head coach.
Saipa FC took the boost from the league-lead and finished the season as surprising champions of the IPL.
In March 2008 newly appointed Head coach of the Iranian national team Asian football legend Ali Daei asked Engin Firat to become his assistant coach. Iran could qualify confidently for the final round of the World Cup 2010 qualification stage.
Firat's quality of work and his popularity amongst players and the team was soon noticed by teams of the Iranian Premier League. Soon there were offers for head coaching jobs in the IPL.
After coming to agreement with Ali Daei and the football federation, Firat signed a head coaching job with last seasons runner up and Asian Champions League finalist Sepahan from Isfahan and was sacked on same year.
Firat was among the candidates as Coach of Nigerias National team for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.[1]
Engin Firat just recently was honoured with an award, as best Turkish coach abroad, by Celik Bilek Ödülleri in Turkey.[2] 2010 Turkey Award of Faith and Honour, Vefa ve Onur Ödül ü for his international work for the Turkish football.
|
|||||