Voetbal International are reporting that Fortuna Sittard striker Burak Yilmaz and head coach Julio Velázquez are both set to leave the club. Yilmaz has already played his last game for Fortuna as he looks to pursue a coaching career. Velázquez will bid farewell to fans during the last game of the season against NEC on Sunday. The club will not be extending his expiring contract.
Former Udinese boss, Julio Velázquez, has done exactly what Fortuna hired him for. Within five games of the Spaniard’s appointment last September, he was able to steer the club away from the relegation zone. After 10 wins, five draws and 13 losses with Fortuna, the club are currently 13th in the Eredivisie.
Former Lille and Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz has decided to leave Fortuna after less than a year at the club. The 37-year-old originally signed a five-year contract with Fortuna, but he has since decided to focus on becoming a coach. Yilmaz hasn’t featured in a match since Sittard lost 4-0 away to Ajax on the 9th of April. According to Yilmaz himself, the 77-time Turkish international has been suffering from injuries which have kept him out of the squad.
Fortuna Sittard’s Technical manager, Sjoerd Ars has since explained the situation, saying ‘The plan we had at the beginning, when Burak signed here for five years, of which two as a footballer, will turn out differently. We are in talks about his situation. But Burak has now decided he does not want to enter a second year as a player.’ Ars added ‘In the talks it has become clear. He wants to focus on becoming a coach.’
