Turkish media reach verdict as Mo Salah releases statement after Trabzonspor dumped out of Europa League

Sections of the Turkish media have made their feelings clear about Mohamed Salah’s Trabzonspor crashing out of the Europa League following a defeat to Ferencvarosi.

The Hungarian side emerged as 5-0 aggregate victors over Trabzonspor, with the Turkish side suffering an embarrassing 4-0 defeat in Budapest on Thursday night.

The Turkish side were only 1-0 behind at half-time, but as they chased a way back into the tie, they collapsed in the second half to exit the Europa League.

Now, Trabzonspor will compete in the Europa Conference League, but all is not well at the club, as their manager Fatih Tekke attempted to resign in an interview live on TV after the match.

He said: “I won’t drag this out. As of now, I am resigning from my 18-month tenure. I feel I have the right to impose this punishment on myself.

“I haven’t told the management about my resignation. I’m saying this on TV for the first time. No one knows.”

However, the club have not accepted the resignation at the time of writing and released a statement claiming he will be in the dugout for their next match at the weekend.

Turkish media have been attempting to explain why Trabzonspor suffered such a comprehensive defeat to Ferencvarosi, and the finger has been pointed towards the likes of Salah.

One report at Fotospor explained why Tekke may have handed in his resignation, with the Egyptian international being viewed as the initiation of the process.

Mo Salah

It was claimed in the report that the manager is frustrated at his lack of influence, as well as the club's scouting department, believing deals are now being made ‘through agents’.

Another report from Fotospor suggested the Hungarians’ side’s lack of focus on ‘focusing on the past’ through not signing major names like Trabzonspor allowed them to dominate both legs of the tie.

It was not a night to forget for the 34-year-old, who only registered six attempts and four touches inside the opposition penalty area before being withdrawn in the 64^th minute with the club trailing 3-0.

Mo Salah releases statement after Trabzonspor defeat

Taking to X on Friday afternoon, Salah wrote: "Nothing in my career ever came easy. Bad nights and disappointments are part of football, and I have learned to turn them into motivation and into trophies.

"Trabzonspor is my club, and I am part of this project, body and soul. Last night will not change that."

He added: "I know expectations are high, and I truly believe we can and will deliver. 'I came here to win' is not just a slogan to me."

Who will Mo Salah and Trabzonspor face in the Europa Conference League

The Conference League draw was completed the day following their elimination from the Europa League, and now the Turkish side know who they will be facing in the competition.

Trabzonspor have been handed six opponents, with three matches at home and three away from Turkey.

The club will need to travel to Bulgaria, Finland and Serbia to square off with CSKA Sofia, KuPS Kuopio and Crvena Zvezda respectively.

Trabzonspor will host Freiberg, Hearts and Jablonec at the Senol Guneş Sports Complex.