Arif Erdem


Arif Erdem is a retired Turkish international footballer of Albanian descent and the former manager of İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor. He played in the forward position. Starting out with local club Zeytinburnuspor in 1990, Arif had a decorated 15-year professional career. He scored 106 goals in 341 league matches and finished joint top scorer of the Süper Lig with İlhan Mansız at the conclusion of the 2001–02 season.
During his 14 years with Galatasaray, Arif won seven Süper Lig titles and five Turkish Cup titles, as well as the UEFA Cup in 2000. He was a part of the Turkey national football team that finished third at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Arif was capped 60 times, scoring eleven goals.

Club career

Arif played for Zeytinburnuspor before signing his first professional contract with Galatasaray on 1 June 1991. He made 29 total appearances in his first season with the club, scoring four goals. Arif made fewer appearances the following season, providing four goals in 18 appearances as the club achieved a domestic treble. The next season, 1993–94, was Arif's most successful to date. His nine goals in the league helped Galatasaray earn another league title. Arif finished his first stint with Galatasaray after winning the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup, totaling six league titles, four cup titles, and four other cup titles.
Arif left Galatasaray for Real Sociedad at the start of the 2000–01. However, he regretted joining the club, saying "the only thing I wanted was to move to a European team... I didn't even think about it, I signed the first offer I received." Arif was plagued by injuries during his tenure, and he left the Spanish club after six months, scoring one goal in two appearances. He signed with Galatasaray on 14 November 2000. The following season, Arif won the Gol Kralı award, an award given to the top scorer of the Süper Lig, en route to his seventh league title with the club. Arif closed out his professional career with a Turkish Cup win in 2004–05.

International career

Arif began his international career with the Turkey national under-21 football team in 1991, scoring one goal in 10 caps. He participated in the Akdeniz Cup with the Turkish Olympic team in 1993, and earned his first senior team cap in 1994. His senior international career lasted from 1994 to 2003, where he scored 11 goals in 60 appearances.

Coaching career

Arif had been an assistant coach with İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor since 2006. On 18 November 2011, after the assignation of Abdullah Avcı to Turkey national football team, he became the new head coach of İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor. At the end of the season, his contract was terminated by club at 14 May 2012.

Career statistics

Club

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.31 August 1994Philip II Arena, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia0–2WonFriendly
2.10 September 1997Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino0–5Won1998 World Cup qualification
3.10 September 1997Stadio Olimpico,Serravalle, San Marino0–5Won1998 World Cup qualification
4.4 September 1999Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland0–3WonEuro 2000 qualifying
5.4 September 1999Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland0–3WonEuro 2000 qualifying
6.4 September 1999Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland0–3WonEuro 2000 qualifying
7.14 November 2001Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey5–0Won2002 World Cup qualification
8.14 November 2001Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey5–0Won2002 World Cup qualification
9.21 August 2002Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium, Trabzon, Turkey3–0WonFriendly
10.7 September 2002Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey3–0WonEuro 2004 qualifying
11.7 September 2002Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey3–0WonEuro 2004 qualifying

Managerial statistics

Awards and honours

Galatasaray