Bülent Korkmaz

Bülent Korkmaz — Biography

Bülent Korkmaz is the former centre-back who holds the record for most appearances in Galatasaray's history and is the club's emblem of captaincy. Fans call him "Büyük Kaptan" (Great Captain) and "Cengaver" (Warrior); the lasting image of his career is the 2000 UEFA Cup final, which he finished with his injured arm bandaged. As a coach he signed with Antalyaspor in June 2026 and began the new season in charge of that side.

His whole playing career belonged to one club. Raised in Galatasaray's youth system, Korkmaz was called up to the first team in 1984-85 by Mustafa Denizli, and because he featured more in European ties than in the league that season he became known as "Avrupalı Bülent". From 1987 to 2005 he played 18 unbroken seasons at centre-back, made 594 official appearances and won 22 trophies, among them 8 league titles, 6 Turkish Cups, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. He became the 13th player to pass 100 European club matches. He earned 102 caps for Turkey and was part of the third-place finishes at the 2002 World Cup and 2003 Confederations Cup. The club offered to retire his number 3 shirt to the museum, but he declined.

His coaching path began with Kayseri Erciyesspor in 2006-07, followed by Bursaspor, Gençlerbirliği and a short spell in charge of Galatasaray in 2009. Baku, Karabükspor, Mersin İdman Yurdu, Antalyaspor and Konyaspor came next; he left Esenler Erokspor in early 2025.