Jan Olde Riekerink

Spor Toto Super League club Galatasaray will travel to Çaykur Rizespor on Feb. 18 for its first test under new coach Igor Tudor.

The former Croatian international left his post at Karabükspor and signed a one-and-a-half year contract on Feb. 16 to replace Dutch coach Jan Olde Riekerink.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tudor said he was aware of the pressure awaiting him. 

Germany's former star striker Lukas Podolski has agreed a move from Turkish giant Galatasaray to Vissel Kobe of Japan, according to media reports.

Hürriyet daily said on Feb. 15 that Podolski had agreed a three year deal with the J1 side worth 15 million euros ($15.8 million) and Istanbul side Galatasaray would receive a transfer fee of 2.7 million euros ($2.85 million).

Galatasaray's board has decided to replace coach Jan Olde Riekerink with Igor Tudor of Croatia, according to media reports.

The reports said the Istanbul club and Tudor, who coached Spor Toto Super League side Karabükspor, agreed on a one-and-a-half year contract.

The Galatasaray administration and technical staff were in hot water on Feb. 13 after the Istanbul club suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Kayserispor, its second loss in three league games.

Larrys Mabiala and Levent Gülen scored one goal each in the first half for the visiting side, with the home side's consolidation goal coming from Eren Derdiyok one minute from the final whistle.  

Galatasaray coach Jan Olde Riekerink blamed the weather and the icy pitch after his side was held to 2-2 draw at Osmanlıspor in the Spor Toto Super League on Dec. 18.

The Turkish league will resume this weekend after a one-week hiatus for World Cup 2018 qualification games, with all eyes on Medipol Başakşehir, which remains at the top of the standings after six match days.

The Istanbul side, which has played more than 300 games under coach Abdullah Avcı, will take on Atiker Konyaspor, another well-disciplined side, on Oct. 16.

Galatasaray captured the Ziraat Turkish Cup late May 26, defeating city archrival Fenerbahçe 1-0 in the southern province of Antalya.

German forward Lukas Podolski provided the Lions with the game winner, scoring the only goal of the final in the 30th minute. The German international was also voted Man of the Match.        

Be?ikta? cemented its hold on the top spot in the Turkish Super League with a 1-0 win over Istanbul archrival Galatasaray late on May 8.

Spor Toto Super League title hopeful Fenerbahçe will travel to Galatasaray on March 20 for an Istanbul derby which will be crucial in the race for the trophy, following a disappointing night on the European stage.