Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul will have a new general manager. A longtime Fenerbahce executive Maurizio Gherardini is staying in Istanbul, but in a different role, sources tell BasketNews.
Derya Yannier, hired by Gherardini as an assistant general manager in 2021, will be promoted to the GM position, BasketNews sources confirmed.
Before joining Fenerbahce in 2021, Yannier spent three years in the Turkish basketball federation and served as the men's leagues director.
Yannier, 37, gained GM job experience in the Turkish club Eskisehir, where he worked from 2014 to 2018.
Before retiring from professional basketball at 28, Yannier played for such teams as Ulkerspor, Besiktas, and Banvit.
A 66-year-old Gherardini was on an expiring contract, and his future with the club was in question.
Per BasketNews sources, Gherardini decided to move from the general manager position to an advising role.
One of the most impactful GMs in European basketball history joined Fenerbahce in 2014.
Since then, Fenerbahce won the EuroLeague in 2017 and made five straight Final Four appearances.
Under Gherardini, Fenerbahce has won three consecutive Turkish league championships (2016, 2017, 2018), retrieved the domestic championship this year, won the Turkish Cup three times (2016, 2019, 2020), and Presidential Cup twice (2016, 2017).
Gherardini was named the best executive of the 2016-17 EuroLeague season.
Fenerbahce grew off the floor too, building the new offices in the Ulker Sports Arena and developing their staff every year. Former Fenerbahce legend Omer Onan, who Gherardini hired as an assistant GM, later became the CEO of the Turkish basketball federation.
URBONUS on Fenerbahce's rebuild:
URBONUS with Maurizio Gherardini:
