Trabzonspor Pursues Thomas Reis as Head Coach

Trabzonspor have hit a critical point in their hunt for a new head coach to succeed the late Fatih Tekke, and all roads now appear to lead to Thomas Reis.

Turkish press reports say the club’s hierarchy have stepped up negotiations with the German coach, with sources close to Trabzonspor revealing the main outlines of the offer already on the table.

Fast move after Tekke

There was no pause after Tekke’s departure was confirmed. Trabzonspor moved quickly, opening intensive talks with Reis, who has already carved out a strong reputation in Turkey thanks to his impressive spell with Samsunspor in the Super League.

According to Turkish outlet “61saat”, club officials have already held a first face‑to‑face meeting with Reis, who is currently in charge of Bulgarian giants Ludogorets. During that meeting, Trabzonspor laid out a clear roadmap for the coming months and presented the framework of a deal.

The proposal, as leaked in Turkey, is built around an initial contract running until the end of the current season. It is described as a trial phase, but not a stopgap.

Inside the club, the view is different: this is the opening chapter of a longer project. If results and performances meet expectations by season’s end, the agreement is designed to evolve into a long-term partnership with the German coach.

Numbers that command attention

What is driving this conviction? Cold, hard figures.

Since taking over Ludogorets on 12 July 2026, Reis has led the team in 11 matches and produced a striking return: an average of 2.18 points per game. For Trabzonspor, that number is not just a statistic; it is evidence of a coach who stamps his tactical identity quickly and effectively.

Those “frightening” numbers, as they have been described in Bulgaria, have not gone unnoticed on the Black Sea.

A grounded, climbing career

Reis brings a solid résumé. He cut his teeth in youth football, working with the under‑19 sides at Bochum and Wolfsburg, before stepping up to take charge of the first team at Bochum and later Schalke 04.

His first venture into Turkish football with Samsunspor left a strong impression, enhancing his standing in the country and setting the stage for this current courtship from Trabzon. From there, he moved on to Bulgaria, where his work with Ludogorets has now pushed him firmly into Trabzonspor’s sights.

Talks are advancing. The plan is clear. The only question left is whether Reis sees Trabzon as the next long-term chapter of a career that is gathering momentum with every season.