Senol Gunes returns to take charge of Turkey

ISTANBUL: Senol Gunes will return for a second spell as Turkey coach this summer following the sacking of Mircea Lucescu earlier this month, The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced on Thursday.

Gunes has signed a four-year deal that  will see the Besiktas boss take charge of the national team from June 1, after the end of the current Turkish Super Lig season, the TFF said in a statement, meaning that the 66-year-old will be in charge of Turkey for the 2020 European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

Lucescu was sacked on February 11 after a slump that saw Turkey fail to qualify for the last year's World Cup in Russia and relegated to third-tier League C in the UEFA Nations League.

The Romanian led Turkey to just four wins in 17 matches, losing seven times and drawing six.

Former national team goalkeeper Gunes took Turkey to third place at the 2002 World Cup during his first spell as manager between 2000 and 2004.

He also led Besiktas to consecutive Super Lig titles in 2016 and 2017 after taking charge in 2015.

His side are currently in third in the league, 11 points behind leaders Istanbul Basaksehir.