Ex-French football star Anelka named CEO of Turkish second-tier club

A second-tier Turkish football club based in Istanbul has appointed former French football player Nicolas Anelka as its Chief Executive Officer on Thursday. 

Umraniyespor, the Istanbul club currently competing in Turkey’s second-tier division, announced the agreement with Anelka for the CEO role. 

“Our club has reached an agreement with Nicolas Anelka for the CEO position,” Umraniyespor confirmed. 

 After being relegated from the top-tier Super Lig last season, Umraniyespor made the move to bring Anelka on board. 

Anelka, 44, a former forward for the French national team, has had stints with several prominent European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus. 

Anelka, a prominent football figure of his era and a significant player in the English Premier League, achieved Turkish championship success with Fenerbahce in 2005 during his one and a half seasons with the club. 

He concluded his football career in 2016 after playing for Mumbai City in India. Notably, he was the top scorer in the Premier League during the 2008-09 season while playing for Chelsea. 

Anelka’s accolades include winning the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2000 and contributing to France’s victory in EURO 2000. 

He also secured two English championship titles, one with Arsenal in 1998 and another with Chelsea in 2010. Anelka’s most recent managerial role was with French lower division club Hyeres in 2021, following his coaching tenure with Lille’s youth team. 

Source: AA