Ergin Ataman: “Welcome in Athens as the savior from Türkiye”

In a long interview with Mehmet Arslan of the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet, Ergin Ataman he spoke about his first months in Greece, comparing the way sport is experienced in Turkey and Greece, his relationship with Dimitris Giannakopoulos, as well as what he would like to do once he leaves the role of coach.

On the affection of the Greek people

People welcomed me with love. When I went out on the street, they saw me as the savior from Türkiye. Despite the professionalism, there is a lack of respect and interest in Türkiye. You win the EuroLeague twice and people don’t respect you. The fans and press immediately start criticizing you if you lose a match or two in Turkey.

On the different sporting culture between Greece and Türkiye

People say, ‘We have the coach who won the EuroLeague two or even three times.’ They follow everything. Things have gone very well since my arrival. Nobody expected it, because we made more than 10 new signings in a team that was last last year.

Ergin Ataman also let it slip that Panathinaikos’ budget for the season is around 16 million euro, the sixth in value of the entire EuroLeague.

On the relationship with Giannakopoulos

The President has always had the reputation of being a difficult person, but from my experience I can say that this is not the case. He constantly supports the team with enthusiasm by remaining on the field. He’s part of the team. His family has been at the helm of Panathinaikos for 40 years and he sees the team as the legacy he received from his father. He has calmed down somewhat in the last few years, because things didn’t go the way he wanted, but now he is very happy. The first time we met he confided in me that he wanted to revive the enthusiasm that his father had generated.

On the choice of players

I made all the moves and the management took any player I wanted. So far, no team I’ve worked with has made a purchase without my approval. There were some player contracts before I arrived, but I signed all the new players.

On the relationship with the fans

I can’t walk down the street without being stopped for photos. But what touches me most are the words I hear. ‘Thank you for coming to us.’ I have never experienced anything like this, no one had ever told me this. At the start of the season we lost to Olympiacos by 25 points in the Super Cup. I went out onto the streets reluctantly, but people showed that they believed in me. No restaurant or coffee shop charges me. Of course, I received love in Turkey too, but in Athens there is real devotion.

On a hypothetical future at the helm of Fenerbahçe

Fenerbahce were my biggest opponent and I faced them many times and won five titles against them. This creates some serious competition. Furthermore, I candidly admitted that I am a Galatasaray fan. Thanks to Galatasaray, I won the EuroCup and became a member of the Board of Directors. After I stop coaching, my goal is to become president of Galatasaray, so I won’t work for Fenerbahce. I have set goals for myself and I respect Fenerbahce. I can’t work for them. They know my identity, they will never make me an offer. It wouldn’t be right.