Zafer Özgültekin

Zafer Özgültekin — Biography

Zafer Özgültekin is a goalkeeper who was part of the Turkey squad that finished third at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He went to the tournament as the third-choice keeper and did not play. After retiring as a player he moved into goalkeeping coaching, working in that role at Beşiktaş and at Sivasspor.

Born in Kangal, in the province of Sivas, his most prominent club years came with MKE Ankaragücü. He kept goal there for three seasons, won the place from the Brazilian Charles Roberto da Silva, who was sent to the bench, and had a share in Ankaragücü's qualification for the UEFA Cup. As other goalkeepers came to the fore, he slipped to third keeper. His short height was considered a disadvantage for a goalkeeper, which made his selection for the national team notable. In 2007 he moved first to Erciyesspor and then to Eskişehirspor; on January 14, 2010, he joined Çaykur Rizespor of the 1. Lig, then moved to Denizlispor the same year and ended his playing career there in 2010-11.

After moving to the technical side he worked as goalkeeping coach at Beşiktaş, and in December 2021 he replaced Cengiz Birgen in the same job at Sivasspor. For the 2002 achievement he is among those awarded the Turkish State Medal of Distinguished Service.