Aytek Genç

Aytek Genç — Biography

Aytek Genç is a coach and former footballer, born in Ankara but formed in Australian football, and is counted among the most technically gifted players in the history of the Australian National Soccer League (NSL). Over a 15-year career he played more than 350 professional games, won three caps for Australia and became a legend among Johor FC fans in Malaysia.

He moved to Australia with his family as a child, grew up in amateur football in Sydney and signed his first professional contract with Bankstown in 1984. From 1989 he became a favorite of Parramatta Eagles fans for his speed and skill on the ball and won the NSL Cup in 1990-91. He made his international debut against New Zealand in 1991, and in September 1992 scored Australia's first goal in a 6-1 World Cup qualifier against the Solomon Islands. Talks with Trabzonspor and Posco Atoms came to nothing. In 1994 he went to Johor, spent five seasons there, won two FAM Cups and was part of the 1997 side that took the club into the AFC Champions League. In Malaysia's off-seasons he went back to Sydney United, whose 1996-97 side finished top of the league and lost the grand final to Brisbane Strikers; from 1999 until 2002 he captained the club.

He began coaching in the Sydney United youth system. With Blacktown City Demons he topped the regular season in 2006, won the NSW Premier League in 2007 and 2010, and was named the league's best coach in 2006 and 2007. He also served as an assistant coach at Sydney FC and later moved into sports commentary.