Aslı E. Koç Tiryaki is a football executive with over a decade of experience in strategic football management, specializing in sustainability, commercial growth, and fan engagement. Her leadership at İstanbul Başakşehir FK is defined by a commitment to innovation, social responsibility, and education-driven transformation within football.
Education & Early Career
Aslı E. Koç Tiryaki holds a master’s degree in Sports Management from Bahçeşehir University and is a graduate of the European Club Association’s Club Management Programme and Women On Board program, which prepare executives for modern football leadership. Prior to entering the football industry, she gained experience in the private sector in areas such as corporate communications and strategic planning.
Leadership at İstanbul Başakşehir FK
Koç Tiryaki served as Manager of Commercial & Sustainability at İstanbul Başakşehir FK. She spearheaded the development and implementation of the club’s first sustainability roadmap, OwlTogether—a six-year plan aligned with global ESG benchmarks and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her work emphasized gender equality, quality education, and reducing inequalities, reinforcing the club’s identity as a progressive and inclusive institution. She has since embarked on a new journey as the co-founder of LOBA, a strategic advisory firm for visionary football.
Innovation in Fan Engagement
Through her role, she led İstanbul Başakşehir FK’s adoption of immersive technologies—AR, VR, and MR—in partnership with DevelAd to elevate matchday experiences and digital fan interaction. These efforts positioned the club at the forefront of innovation in Turkish football and helped build a dynamic, tech-forward fan base.
Professional Football Management Certificate Program (PFYSP)
Aslı E. Koç Tiryaki is one of the founding organizers of the Professional Football Management Certificate Program (PFYSP), Turkey’s first football management education initiative created by a football club. Officially supported by the European Club Association since 2024, PFYSP blends academic rigor with real-world insights from club professionals. Offered free of charge, the program champions diversity and inclusion while preparing participants for leadership roles in football through networking, mentorship, and internship pathways.
International Representation & Thought Leadership
She has represented İstanbul Başakşehir FK in various international football forums and committees, and contributed as a speaker to FIFA’s Diploma in Club Management, sharing the club’s approach to brand positioning and sustainability. Her cross-sector expertise and advocacy for integrating business innovation into football governance make her a respected voice in the global sports management landscape.
LOBA: Pioneering Strategic Advisory for Football
As co-founder of LOBA, a strategic advisory firm, Aslı Koç Tiryaki is driving change in football by helping brands harness untapped opportunities to set future standards and accelerate growth. LOBA delivers full-cycle solutions across six pillars: Business, Brand & Marketing, Brand & Communications, Experience Design, Sustainability, and Capacity Building. Through creative campaigns, value-driven storytelling, world-class sportainment experiences, and purposeful sustainability programs, LOBA expands each client’s presence and relevance in global football. Tailored training led by industry experts converts organizational talent into long-term strength, ensuring every vision is translated into meaningful results.
Vision & Leadership Style
Aslı E. Koç Tiryaki is known for her principled, future-oriented leadership and ability to blend commercial strategy with social impact. With a strong focus on inclusion, innovation, and continuous learning, she continues to shape the evolution of football management in Turkey and across Europe.
Our Exclusive Interview with Aslı Koç Tiryaki
Who is Aslı Koç Tiryaki outside of football?
I am a curious soul, a reader, a dreamer, a lifelong learner, and a woman in constant evolution. I believe in the unseen power of purpose. Beyond the stadiums, I am building a life anchored in meaning, creativity, and feminine strength. Outside of football, I am on a mission to live as fully, consciously, and courageously as I lead. As a proud mother, I am reminded daily through her eyes why representation matters. What we normalize today defines what is possible tomorrow.
What philosophies guide your leadership in football and business?
I act and lead with the belief that leadership is not about hierarchy but harmony. Whether in football or business, I focus on building systems that are human-centered, sustainable, and rooted in purpose. I believe in listening deeply, acting consciously, and leading courageously. Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry has taught me that true leadership is not about having all the answers but asking better questions and creating space for others to contribute. I value empathy as much as strategy. I see vulnerability not as a weakness but as a bridge to trust. Ultimately, my philosophy is simple: create impact, lift others as you rise, and never forget that every decision shapes not just results but culture.
How do you balance long-term goals with the day-to-day demands of the club?
Balancing the long game with the urgency of daily demands is one of the most important and often underestimated aspects of leadership. I approach every short-term action as part of a larger story. Even the smallest action must align with our broader purpose. I build systems that absorb daily pressures without losing sight of long-term impact. This means empowering people, designing processes that serve our mission, and constantly asking, “Is this sustainable?” In a dynamic environment like football, it is easy to get caught up in what is urgent. However, I believe what truly defines a leader is the ability to hold both the present and the future simultaneously, responding with agility while staying anchored in vision.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
I have been shaped by many, but I owe the deepest influence to the women who dared before me and to my inner voice, which never let me settle for comfort over growth. This inner compass, often forged through challenges, has kept me aligned with my values. Becoming a mother has added a new layer to that voice. Now, I lead not only with ambition but with intention, knowing that everything I do echoes beyond me. I have also been fortunate to work with and learn from several leaders, mentors to me, who did not just manage but inspired.
What kind of books or topics do you enjoy in your personal time?
I am drawn to books that explore transformation, particularly through the lens of feminine strength, storytelling, and mythology. Works like Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown have been companions on my journey, offering powerful insights into vulnerability, leadership, and wholeness. I also find deep nourishment in spiritual and mystical writings, from the timeless wisdom of Rumi to esoteric explorations of consciousness, energy, and the soul’s path. These readings ground me, especially when life moves too fast. At the same time, I have a genuine curiosity for science, particularly cosmology, creation, and the mysteries of the universe. For me, reading is a sacred space where intuition meets intellect, and imagination and insight walk side by side. It is a lifelong practice that shapes how I dream.
What does a typical workday look like for you during the season?
During the season, every day is unique, but the underlying structure focuses on balancing short-term demands with long-term goals. I start my day early, usually with a quiet moment to center myself, whether through reading, writing, or reflecting on the big picture. This helps me stay grounded when the day gets busy. Mornings are dedicated to creation: exploring new projects and collaborations, reviewing my department’s performance, monitoring ongoing and upcoming projects, and conducting routine checks of European and domestic fixtures to stay on top of deadlines. I maintain close contact with my colleagues to ensure alignment on key objectives. Afternoons are more operational, focusing on overseeing the details of each project. I also prioritize personal development by reading industry-related content to stay sharp. Evenings are typically reserved for reflection and planning for the next day. Balancing a full schedule with the emotional energy of the season requires focus, so I make time to unwind with my family. Each day is driven by a sense of purpose. I’m constantly thinking about how we can make football more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful through meaningful partnerships and value-driven projects.
How do you manage international relations and strategy at Başakşehir FK?
My perspective on international relations extends beyond mere networking; it’s about building long-term value. At Başakşehir FK, we approach international relations as a means to shape the future, not only for our club but for football itself. Our focus is on fostering meaningful, strategic collaborations that align with our core values: sustainability, innovation, and purpose. We have several long-standing international partnerships that have inspired us to think globally while acting locally. I have also been representing Başakşehir FK on various committees within the European Club Association (ECA), where I contribute to policy and innovation agendas across Europe. For us, being international doesn’t mean being everywhere; it means being intentional. It involves building international relationships that create lasting value, elevate our club’s vision, and contribute to the game beyond borders.
What’s next for you in your professional journey?
I’m entering a phase where I’m not just contributing to football but helping to reshape it. My ambition is to play a more active role in transforming Turkish football into a more professional, inclusive, and sustainable ecosystem through several initiatives. I’m currently focused on amplifying sustainability and innovation in football governance, and I’m committed to contributing to projects that further professionalize our football environment, elevate women’s leadership, and align football with global best practices. Internationally, I aim to continue bridging worlds, bringing Turkish football into global conversations while infusing global expertise into our local context. I’m deeply committed to elevating women’s leadership in football. Through LOBA, I work in the football environment to integrate purpose-driven strategies that reflect football’s true potential as a force for cultural and social impact. For me, this journey is not about titles. It’s about creating what does not yet exist and sending the elevator down for another LOBA.