Mustafa Ertan

Mustafa Ertan — Biography

Mustafa Ertan was a Turkish defender and later coach, known as "Beton Mustafa" (Concrete Mustafa) for his sturdy defensive play and physical strength. He was part of the Turkey squad at the 1954 FIFA World Cup finals, and his services to football in Ankara make him one of the capital's most important football figures. After his playing days he moved into coaching and managed several Ankara sides.

He began in Ankara, turning out for Ankara Karagücü, Harp Okulu and Muhafızgücü and captaining the army national team. He represented Turkey at the 1952 and 1960 Olympic Games and at the 1954 World Cup. He moved to Beşiktaş in 1960 and is associated with that club; PTT Spor and MKE Ankaragücü are also among his sides. In all he won 38 caps for Turkish national teams: 29 for the senior side, three for B, four for the amateurs and two at U-21 level.

His first coaching job came in 1961-62 at his old club PTT, finishing the season tenth; in 1964-65 he took charge of the same side again and brought it home seventh in the top flight. He then worked at Hacettepe, Şekerspor, MKE Ankaragücü, Bursaspor and Trabzonspor. In 1968-69 he took Ankaragücü up to the top division, coached Gençlerbirliği in 1970-71 and left the post in March 1971. He died at his home in Bursa.