Sağlam strengthens ties with Bursaspor

Coach Ertuğrul Sağlam has signed a three-year contract extension with Bursaspor, tying him to the Turkish titleholders until summer 2015.

"I've often mentioned my pride and honour at serving Bursaspor," Sağlam said as the decision was announced. "Since January 2009 I've had a great relationship with our president and the board, a harmony that brought significant success with the league title last season. We believe there are bigger and better things to come so I did not have to think long about extending my contract."

Now 41, former Beşiktaş JK, Gaziantepspor and Samsunspor coach Sağlam took charge of Bursaspor in January 2009, leading them to third place in that first campaign. Then, last season, as the Süper Lig's youngest coach, he guided them to their maiden Turkish league title – the first time since 1984 the prize had not gone to one of Istanbul's big three clubs.

That earned the north-west team a UEFA Champions League spot and although they struggled in a group containing Manchester United FC, Valencia CF and Rangers FC, Bursapsor remain hopeful of sealing a return to the competition. With eight games left, Sağlam's men are third in the Süper Lig, nine points behind Fenerbahçe SK and Trabzonspor AŞ in the positions that count.