Trabzonspor Pursues Thomas Reis as Head Coach After Tekke's Departure

Trabzonspor have accelerated their hunt for a new head coach, with Turkish reports claiming talks with German manager Thomas Reis have reached a decisive stage following the departure of Fatih Tekke.

The club’s hierarchy moved quickly once Tekke’s exit became official, opening intensive negotiations with Reis, whose stock in Turkey rose sharply after an impressive spell with Samsunspor in the Super League. His work there has not been forgotten, and it has pushed him to the front of the queue for one of the country’s most demanding benches.

Short deal, big project

According to Turkish outlet “61saat”, Trabzonspor officials have already held an initial face‑to‑face meeting with Reis, who is currently in charge of Bulgarian champions Ludogorets. During that sit‑down, the Black Sea club reportedly laid out a clear roadmap for the coming months and the framework of their proposal.

The leaked details point to an initial contract running only until the end of the current season. On paper, it looks like a trial period. Inside the club, it is being framed very differently.

Sources close to the talks insist the board do not view Reis as a stopgap solution to simply steer the team through to the summer. The short deal is seen as a gateway to a longer‑term project, one that would be triggered if results and performances under the German convince the hierarchy by season’s end.

In other words, Trabzonspor want to see his impact quickly, then build around him.

Numbers that command attention

What is driving this push? The data from Bulgaria is hard to ignore.

Since taking over at Ludogorets on 12 July 2026, Reis has led the team in 11 matches and produced an imposing average of 2.18 points per game. That return underlines how fast his tactical ideas have taken hold and why his name has landed on Trabzonspor’s desk with such force.

For a club chasing stability and identity after Tekke, those numbers matter. They suggest a coach who can organise, adapt and win at speed.

From youth dugouts to the Super League spotlight

Reis arrives at this point with a substantial coaching résumé behind him. He cut his teeth in youth football, working with the under‑19 sides at Bochum and Wolfsburg, before stepping up to lead the first team at Bochum and then Schalke 04.

His first taste of Turkish football with Samsunspor left a strong impression, both on the league and on decision‑makers in Trabzon. That successful spell opened the door to his current role in Bulgaria and now, potentially, to one of the hottest seats in Turkish football.

Talks are ongoing. The offer is on the table. The project is clear.

The next move belongs to Thomas Reis.