It seems only yesterday that Spain's scintillating Euro performance was being celebrated. Luis Aragones was a big part of the transformation from a chronically underachieving team to world beaters. Aragones was hailed for his use of Marcos Senna, Spain's best kept secret, who went onto becoming the player of the tournament.
Yesterday, the temperamental Aragones was dismissed from Fenerbahçe, a year before his contract was to expire.
The club came a disappointing fourth in the Turkish Super league. Aragones was brought to the Turkish side specifically to take them to a title after their slide in recent years. He was also responsible for bringing Dani Guiza who became famous in Euro 2008 as a super sub. Guiza's output was disappointingly scarce with only 11 goals scored. The club also could not hold onto Mehmet Aurelio, its versatile holding midfielder and Euro 2008 standout, who left for Real Betis.
Aragones was also faulted for his messianic belief without offering any concrete tactics. The lack of managerial direction led to a loss of player confidence and morale. Simpleminded prescriptions like that of Cesar Mendiondo, his assistant coach who told El Pais in October last year, "Luis would never throw in the towel, even if he was facing God " were not enough. Repeated losses to rivals and eventual champions Besiktas and Galtasaray took away any hope of winning the title.
Christoph Daum of FC Koln is reportedly returning to his old side to take over. He previously spent three years as coach of the Turkish giants before moving onto Koln in 2003 where he led the club back to the Bundesliga.
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