Yılmaz Gökdel

Yılmaz Gökdel — Biography

Yılmaz Gökdel was born on 20 February 1940 in Istanbul and was known as "Pire Yılmaz" (Yılmaz the Flea) for his quickness on the pitch. He started playing at 16 with Süleymaniyespor, then played for Sarıyer and Beykoz. On 16 January 1964 he signed for Galatasaray, where he played on the right wing. He stayed five years, two of which he lost to military service. He won the league title in 1968-69, the Turkish Cup in 1963-64, 1964-65 and 1965-66, and the Presidential Cup in 1966 and 1969, and he ended his playing career at Galatasaray in 1970. In 1964-65 he won 5 caps for the senior national team and played in 1966 World Cup qualifying.

He began coaching in 1975 as an assistant at Galatasaray. He managed Malatyaspor, Konya İdmanyurdu and Gaziantepspor, taking Gaziantepspor up to the top flight. His greatest success came in 1980-81 with Ankaragücü: the second-division side won the Turkish Cup and was promoted to the 1. Lig, and it also took the Presidential Cup in 1981.

In 1984 he took charge of the Turkey under-21 side. After Candan Tarhan resigned, he briefly managed the senior national team, losing 3-0 to Romania in a 1986 World Cup qualifier. Later he worked at Kocaelispor, Antalyaspor, Karşıyaka, Diyarbakırspor, Bursaspor, Samsunspor, Kartalspor and Gaziantepspor. After coaching he worked at the Turkish Football Federation. He died in Istanbul on 4 November 2019.