Gökhan Inler, at 39, returned to football with Udinese after an unplayed stint at Besiktas Istanbul. Now serving as team manager, he immerses himself in his role amid the club’s resurgence in Serie A. Inler’s career has seen highs, like his time at Napoli, and lows, including a difficult spell at Leicester, which fractured his national team connection. Despite past setbacks, he approaches this new chapter with hopes of solidifying his legacy off the pitch.
Gökhan Inler had envisioned a fresh start in Turkey for the next stage of his football journey. At 39, he returned to Besiktas Istanbul in 2023 but didn’t see any playing time. Nonetheless, he intended his final year as a player to ease into an official role. However, with changes in Besiktas management mid-season, those plans quickly faded. Besiktas was chaotic and lacked reliability.
Inler then made the decision to return to Udine, a city in Italy with around 100,000 residents, which marked the beginning of his international success. He joined Udinese Calcio, a club with a long-standing presence in Serie A, offering stability that Besiktas couldn’t. Inler never truly departed Udinese; he has always maintained a cordial relationship with the club.
This summer, Inler took on a new role as team manager at Udinese. He is actively engaged on the sidelines, interacting with players, motivating them during tense moments, and celebrating with the squad after a goal, like the 2-0 victory against Cagliari.
Udinese Under German Coach Kosta Runjaic
Currently, Udinese is experiencing a wave of optimism. After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the team has found itself in the upper tier of the Serie A standings, competing alongside prominent clubs from Naples, Turin, and Milan. Last year, the team was under the guidance of Italian world champion Fabio Cannavaro, but now it’s helmed by lesser-known German coach Kosta Runjaic, a rarity in Italian football which is often dominated by local talent. His Austrian background makes this cultural blend more fitting in the northeastern region of Italy, close to Austria and Slovenia.
Udinese is owned by the Pozzo family, who have held the reins for decades. Giampaolo Pozzo, the 83-year-old patriarch, built his fortune in tool manufacturing, and his legacy is etched in the club’s operations. Key decisions come from his son Gino Pozzo, with Gianluca Nani serving as the technical director. This continuity within the Pozzo empire ensures a stable structure, facilitating player transactions between Udinese and Watford FC in the English Championship through a well-established scouting network.
Inler’s connection to Udinese spans back to his time as a player from 2007 to 2011. Even after leaving, he kept in touch with Gino Pozzo. Currently, he is pursuing UEFA courses to further his development as a sports director while reaffirming his principles of discipline and commitment.
A Natural Leader, Not a Showman
Inler has never been one to actively promote himself or engage in public speaking. His leadership skills are evident on the field rather than through flashy presentations. He has always let his actions do the talking.
His career has been impressive, yet it faced challenges following his 2015 move to Leicester City. He initially rose through the ranks at FC Zurich before transferring to Udinese and then to Napoli for a record 18 million euros at the time. However, his stint at Leicester was disappointing; despite the team’s Premier League title win, Inler found himself sidelined, playing only a handful of minutes.
Eight Years in Turkey
Reflecting on his career, Inler shares that his time at Leicester built his resilience, albeit at a significant personal cost. He spent the next eight years in Turkey, playing for several clubs, including Besiktas, where he last served as a budding official.
The challenges at Leicester also affected his tenure with the Swiss national team. Inler earned 89 caps and served as captain, but his lack of playing time in England impacted his selection for the national squad. He experienced the all-too-common scenario for veteran players wherein their exit is seldom celebrated. This lingering feeling of disappointment remains with him today.
Despite not wanting to dwell on his national team departure, Inler admits the emotional toll is noticeable, especially as he recalls, “I don’t have ten caps; I have almost ninety.” While Inler holds no grudge against former coach Vladimir Petkovic, he acknowledges that poor communication may have exacerbated the situation.
Granit Xhaka: Inler’s Successor
Looking back, Granit Xhaka emerged as Inler’s successor and rival in midfield. Xhaka’s style resonated more with Petkovic’s tactics, overshadowing Inler’s more traditional, defensive play. In contrast to Xhaka’s more expressive nature, Inler has always been known for his quiet demeanor, preferring to lead by example rather than words