Kadri Aytaç

Kadri Aytaç — Biography

Born on 6 August 1931 in Istanbul, Kadri Aytaç was one of the defining figures of Turkish football in the 1950s and 1960s. He played for Beyoğluspor, Fatih Karagümrük, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Mersin İdmanyurdu, though he is best remembered for his years at Galatasaray, where he was part of a powerful squad alongside players such as Metin Oktay, Suat Mamat, İsfendiyar Açıksöz, Ali Beratlıgil and Turgay Şeren. His move from Galatasaray to city rival Karagümrük is still recalled today as one of Turkish football's first major transfer surprises. Capped for the national team, he took part in the 1954 World Cup before moving into coaching after his playing career ended.

As a manager, Aytaç holds the record for the most championships won in the Turkish Second Football League, having guided four different clubs to promotion into the First League. Kadri Aytaç died in Istanbul on 28 March 2003.