Korkut takes over at Hannover
Hanover – Tayfun Korkut is the new head coach of Hannover 96. The 39-year-old former Turkey international has penned a contract valid through to June 2016 with the Lower Saxony club and will take his first training session on Sunday (5 January).
Young coach with considerable international experience
Korkut, who was born and grew up in Stuttgart, becomes the first Bundesliga coach with a Turkish background. He replaces Mirko Slomka, who parted company with the club after a worrying form slump that saw them win just one of their last eleven games before the winter break.
“This is a considered appointment with an eye to the future of Hannover 96. In Tayfun Korkut we have chosen a young, highly qualified and supremely motivated coach whose personality and track record utterly convinced us that he's the right man for the job,” said Hannover sporting director Dirk Dufner.
For his part, the 42-time Turkey international commented, “I'd like to expressly thank Hannover 96 for the confidence they're placing in me by giving me this opportunity. The talks with Dirk Dufner were conducted on a basis of mutual trust and I'm really looking forward to the demanding but fascinating challenge lying ahead for us.” Korkmaz turned out for Stuttgarter Kickers, Fenerbahce, Real Sociedad, Espanyol, Besiktas and Genclerbirligi as a player and represented Turkey at the 1996 and 2000 Euros. His coaching career to date has encompassed spells in charge of the U-19 teams at Real Sociedad and VfB Stuttgart and 1899 Hoffenheim's U-17s. In January2012, the Turkish FA signed him up as assistant to national team coach Abdullah Avci.
