Aziz Yıldırım has been elected president of Fenerbahçe, completing a remarkable return to power eight years after leaving office.
The 73-year-old businessman and civil engineer defeated Hakan Safi in Sunday’s extraordinary general assembly in Kadıköy. According to unofficial results, Yıldırım won every ballot box, securing a convincing victory in one of the most closely watched elections in Turkish football.
Return Amid Club Instability
The election was Fenerbahçe’s third presidential vote in three years, highlighting the political and sporting turbulence surrounding the club.
Outgoing president Sadettin Saran, who had narrowly defeated Ali Koç in 2025, called the extraordinary congress following disappointing results, including a heavy derby defeat against Galatasaray. Saran later announced that he would not seek another term.
Members were also informed that the club’s debt had reached approximately 26.2 billion Turkish lira as of February 2026, adding further urgency to the election.
Two Different Campaigns
Yıldırım campaigned on experience, stability, and restoring Fenerbahçe’s winning culture ahead of the club’s 120th anniversary season. He argued that the club needed strong leadership to close the gap on its rivals and return to championship contention.
His opponent, Safi, offered a more ambitious transfer-driven vision. During the campaign, he claimed agreements had already been reached with players including Mason Greenwood, Luis Suárez of Sporting CP, and Türkiye defender Merih Demiral.
Yıldırım criticized such public transfer promises, arguing they could harm negotiations and were not in the club’s best interests.
Huge Turnout
Voting took place using 45 ballot boxes, with nearly 30,000 members expected to participate, potentially making it the highest turnout in Fenerbahçe history. Previous presidential elections attracted 21,350 voters in 2018, 27,489 in 2024, and 24,732 in 2025.
A One-Year Mission
Under club regulations, Yıldırım’s mandate will last only one year because a regular presidential election is already scheduled for mid-2027.
The veteran administrator has made clear that his primary goal is simple: end Fenerbahçe’s Süper Lig title drought, which has lasted since the 2013-14 season.
Founded in 1907, Fenerbahçe remains one of Türkiye’s “Big Three” clubs alongside Galatasaray and Beşiktaş. For many supporters, Yıldırım’s return represents a final attempt to restore the club to the top of Turkish football after more than a decade without a league championship.