Turkish Businessmen Serhan Cetinsaya and Sertac Guven Acquire Petrolul Ploiești

Turkish businessmen Serhan Cetinsaya and Sertac Guven have acquired Romanian football club Petrolul Ploiești, marking a significant development for the team in the Romanian SuperLiga. The acquisition was officially announced on June 4, 2024.

Rumors of Cetinsaya's interest in Petrolul Ploiești began circulating in the winter when he attended a friendly match. iAMsport.ro reporters spotted him, sparking speculation. Negotiations with Marian Copilu had been ongoing since then, but only recently did they come to fruition.

Initially, Cetinsaya and Guven had considered investing in Universitatea Cluj. However, discussions with Emil Boc and Cluj City Hall representatives were unsuccessful. They then shifted their focus to Petrolul Ploiești, where negotiations extended over several months.

As part of their ambitious plans, the Turkish investors aim to bring in a new coach, replacing Laszlo Balint. Mehmet Topal, a former Turkish football player who played for Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, is set to become the new coach. Topal was previously considered for a secondary coaching role under Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce.

Topal, aged 38, has had an illustrious playing career, having earned 81 caps for the Turkish national team and playing for top clubs such as Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Beșiktaș, and Valencia. Despite his extensive playing experience, Topal has no prior coaching experience, making this a notable career transition.

The acquisition of Petrolul Ploiești by Cetinsaya and Guven represents a new chapter for the club. The investors' decision to replace the current coach, Laszlo Balint, who was appointed in April, highlights their commitment to revitalizing the team.

With the new leadership and potential changes in coaching staff, Petrolul Ploiești fans will be watching closely to see how these developments impact the club's performance in the Romanian SuperLiga. The future of the club under Turkish ownership is eagerly anticipated.

Key Takeaways

• Turkish businessmen Serhan Cetinsaya and Sertac Guven acquire Romanian football club Petrolul Ploiești.
• Cetinsaya and Guven aim to bring in a new coach, replacing Laszlo Balint.
• Mehmet Topal, a former Turkish football player, is set to become the new coach.
• Topal has no prior coaching experience, making this a notable career transition.
• The acquisition marks a new chapter for Petrolul Ploiești, with fans eagerly anticipating the impact on the team's performance.