Monday, April 26, 2021 at 12:35 PM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 12:42

Media mogul Acun Ilicali does not seem to be the new owner of Fortuna Sittard. Football International and The Limburger report on Monday that the Limburg club and the Turkish businessman are too far apart in terms of views on the policy to be pursued. Ilicali has been waiting for approval from the KNVB for a year, but now Fortuna itself seems to have come to the conclusion that the takeover is not good for the future of the club.

In the conversations with Ilicali, also known as ‘the Turkish John de Mol’, Fortuna got the impression that he really wanted to be involved in the technical department, among other things. For example, the businessman from Turkey wanted to be able to decide for himself who would become a trainer in Sittard and he preferred a bigger name than Sjors Ultee, the current coach of the middle engine. Fortuna’s policymakers feared that the identity and the good work that has been done in recent years would be jeopardized. Giving the club completely into the hands of one person, who also does not know the Dutch football world well, is considered a very bad idea.

For a long time, Ilicali was the intended successor of the current owner and chairman Isitan Gün at Fortuna. The latter, who owned 85 percent of the shares, was willing to hand over a 60 percent stake to his fellow countryman and good friend. In return, Ilicali said according to Football International an investment of eight million euros. He has already made an advance on his term of office in Sittard in recent months, despite the lack of approval from the KNVB. Ilicali regularly came to home duels by private jet, while he also sometimes sent advisers to training. The wealthy businessman was involved in the background in the incoming transfers of Mats Seuntjens, Ben Rienstra and Sebastian Polter, among others.

It remains to be seen whether the failed takeover will have negative consequences for Fortuna. Ilicali would like to be compensated for the money he has already invested in the club. These stories are referred to the realm of fables by Fortuna and there is also no official confirmation of the break between the two parties for the time being. According to various parties involved, talks are still being held with the Ilicali camp. Incidentally, General Manager Ivo Pfennings emphasized in conversation with last month Football International that Fortuna is already working on alternatives. It is still hoped for the arrival of an investor next to Gün, in order to secure the future of the club.