Ali Tandoğan

Ali Tandoğan — Biography

Ali Tandoğan is a former Turkey international who played at right back and on the right wing, noted for his crosses and set pieces; after retiring he moved into coaching and punditry. He won the Süper Lig with Bursaspor in 2009-10, took the Turkish Cup and the Super Cup with Beşiktaş, and at Denizlispor became one of the club's most-used players of all time.

He started out in Salihli, coming through the Yeni Salihlispor youth side to turn professional with Salihlispor in the 2. Lig. He moved to Denizlispor in 1998-99, stayed five and a half years, made more than 150 league appearances and twice led the league in assists. In 2003 he joined Gençlerbirliği; a free kick against Sporting is still remembered there, and in 2004 fans voted him the club's player of the year. In 2005, at Rıza Çalımbay's request, he went to Beşiktaş, wore number 22 and won two Turkish Cups and a Super Cup. At Bursaspor, where he arrived in 2009, he contributed 14 assists and 4 goals to the title in his first season. He also played for Antalyaspor, Mersin İdmanyurdu (a 1. Lig title), Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor and Adana Demirspor, and retired in summer 2015.

He was capped four times for Turkey. He began coaching at Denizlispor in 2016, winning his first match 2-1 against Gaziantepspor. He later managed Şanlıurfaspor, Balıkesirspor and Tuzlaspor, and returned to Denizlispor in April 2021 for a first match away to MKE Ankaragücü. He is also known for his assessments on sports television and in the press.