Okan Özkan (born 2 February 1991, Istanbul) is a Turkish football executive and former youth coach, best known for his long tenure at Fenerbahçe SK in both technical and administrative roles. A UEFA A-licensed coach with a strong academic background in economics and sports management, Özkan has been described by Turkish outlets as a “young and competent sports manager” who bridges on-field expertise with off-field strategy.
Early Life and Education
Özkan studied Economics at Istanbul University before expanding his education internationally with a year at the University of Siena in Italy (2012–13). He later participated in a Sports Law and Management course at Kadir Has University and a master’s degree in Sports Management at Marmara University. Reports also suggest he undertook formal coaching education in Scotland prior to his entry into professional coaching. This combination of economics, sports management, and coaching qualifications positioned him uniquely as both an analyst and practitioner within football.
Professional Background Before Football
Before moving fully into football, Özkan worked in finance and business. From 2013 to 2015, he was an auditor at KPMG, later taking up financial reporting roles at Vodafone. This financial grounding would later become a key asset in his football career, particularly during his tenure in Fenerbahçe’s finance and football management departments.
Transition into Coaching
In 2017, after starting his coaching education journey which ended with securing his UEFA A License, Özkan entered the coaching profession with Kasımpaşa SK’s youth academy, working with under-11 and under-7 teams. A year later, he joined Fenerbahçe SK, initially as part of the youth setup under Spanish Academy Director David Badia and Sporting Director Damien Comolli. In the 2019–2020 season, Özkan coached the U14 squad, where he was credited with introducing modern training methodologies and supporting the club’s youth development and performance analysis systems. These roles established his reputation as a technically adept, data-oriented coach with managerial ambitions.
Career at Fenerbahçe
Özkan’s progression within Fenerbahçe was rapid, spanning both technical and executive positions:
- July 2017 – June 2018: Assistant coach, Kasımpaşa SK youth (junior age groups)
- July 2018 – June 2020: Assistant coach, Fenerbahçe SK youth (U14)
- Aug 2020 – June 2022: Finance Executive, Fenerbahçe SK (budgeting, reporting, financial oversight)
- July 2022 – June 2023: Football Planning Executive, Fenerbahçe SK (scouting, roster planning, contracts, player data)
- July 2023 – July 2025: Assistant Sporting Director / Deputy Coordinator of the First Team
By 2025, Özkan was appointed as Football Coordinator, succeeding Mario Branco. However, on 7 July 2025, he resigned from the club after more than seven years of service. Fenerbahçe issued a public statement thanking him for his contributions across multiple departments.
Key Contributions
- Helped implement modern methodologies by using data-oriented models in youth coaching, contributing to the club’s academy development.
- Led budget management and supported transfer processes during Emre Belözoğlu’s directorship.
- Redesigned scouting organization and workflow by implementing data into the department and digitalizing operations.
- Served as the person who gave final approval to contracts and reported to management.
- Advocated for integrating youth prospects and database-driven analysis into Fenerbahçe’s broader decision-making.
Transfers Involved
Özkan had been involved in more than 100 in/out transfers at Fenerbahçe. He supported the process of several major departures, including Altay Bayındır to Manchester United, Arda Güler to Real Madrid, Ferdi Kadıoğlu to Brighton, Bruma to Braga, and Min-Jae Kim to Napoli. On the incoming side, he supported the arrival processes of Dominik Livaković from Dinamo Zagreb, Jayden Oosterwolde from Parma, Rodrigo Becão from Udinese, Fred from Manchester United, Rade Krunić from AC Milan, Sebastian Szymański from Dynamo Moscow, Cengiz Ünder from Marseille, and Edin Džeko as a free agent.
Collaborations and Influences
Özkan has worked alongside several high-profile figures:
- Ali Y. Koç, the president of Fenerbahçe for the last 7 years and a respected businessman who is a member of one of Turkey’s leading families.
- Selahattin Baki (Board Member), Acun Ilıcalı (Board Member), and Mario Branco (Sporting Director), leading scouting, planning, and transfer operations.
- José Mourinho and Jorge Jesus, with whom he collaborated as Assistant Sporting Director during their time at Fenerbahçe.
- Emre Belözoğlu, while handling finance and planning responsibilities.
- David Badia and Damien Comolli during his early coaching and finance executive years in Fenerbahçe’s academy.
Reputation and Media Perception
At 34, Özkan is seen as part of a new generation of Turkish football executives. Local media often frame him as a rising talent in sports management, noting his unusual career path from finance into coaching and then senior club administration. While he does not have the public profile of a head coach or sporting director, his behind-the-scenes work has been recognized internally and in the press. His resignation in 2025 drew both surprise and debate among supporters, highlighting the visibility of his role in Fenerbahçe’s operations.
Conclusion
Okan Özkan’s career represents the modern evolution of football management: a blend of financial expertise, coaching qualifications, and strategic planning. From youth coaching to first-team coordination, he has contributed across multiple layers of Fenerbahçe SK. Though his resignation in 2025 closed a significant chapter, his profile as a young, data-savvy, and versatile football executive suggests he will remain a notable figure in Turkish football’s professional landscape.
Our Exclusive Interview with Okan Özkan
Who is Okan Özkan outside of football? How do you balance the demands of football management with your personal life?
I have a 5-year-old daughter. Outside of football, I usually spend my time with her. Traveling through her imaginary world transforms me and takes me away from reality. Furthermore, being surrounded by nature—biking, running, camping, and swimming—helps me find peace.
You took on very different roles at Fenerbahçe, from coach to finance executive to football coordinator. Which role did you enjoy the most and where did you learn the most?
For me to enjoy a job, I need to feel like I’m adding value to it. I’m incredibly grateful to have been given this freedom in every position I’ve held. I’ve added value to my work in every role, and being in that role has added value to me. I feel fortunate to work with some of the most important people in the most important departments of a football organization.
What are your future professional plans, and which part of a football organization do you see yourself contributing to in the coming years?
I previously played amateur football for nine years. Being on the field and coaching was incredibly motivating and made me feel good. That’s why I gave up my corporate career, but as I spent time in the industry, I realized that my background was more suited to sports management. The level I could reach as a sports manager excites me more than the level I could reach as a coach.
You started your career in finance before shifting into coaching and later management. How did that diverse background shape your approach to decision-making in football?
It’s crucial to have a strong grasp of the issues you’re making decisions about. Considering the financial, legal, organizational, and on-field aspects of football, having a background in these areas makes me more confident in my decisions. I also plan to further develop myself psychologically and sociologically through the lessons I’ll be taking in the near future, as these areas can also be considered important factors in decision-making.
You were often described as a “young and competent sports manager.” Do you feel that being relatively young in high-level roles was more of an advantage or a challenge?
I must admit, I see this as an advantage. Because youth allows you to hide behind more risky decisions. As you get older and gain more experience, you’re expected to make more conventional decisions.