Ümit Özat

Turkish footballer and manager

Ümit Özat (born 30 October 1976) is a Turkish professional football manager and former player.

Born in Ankara, Özat initially played for Gençlerbirliği and for Fenerbahçe as a central defender or a defensive midfielder. Later, he was converted to a full back on the left side. He is right footed, but still he played as left full back. Mostly playing as a wingback and also supporting attackers, Özat was known for his unexpected long shots and rather successful crosses with his weak foot. He could also play the sweeper position when needed. In May 2007, he signed a three year contract with 1. FC Köln. On 29 August 2008, Özat collapsed during a Bundesliga match against Karlsruher SC. After losing consciousness for a short period and being treated on the field, he became responsive and was sent to hospital for further examination. Further testing has determined that the ex club captain has a heart condition called myocarditis. On 14 March 2009, it became official that Özat had ended his career. His retirement was influenced by the collapse.

Özat made his debut for Turkey on 16 August 2000 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played 41 times for the national team including at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in which they achieved third place. Özat scored one goal for his country in the process.

Özat's career continued as an assistant manager of Köln under Zvonimir Soldo, between his resign on 21 December 2009. He subsequently became Roger Lemerre's assistant at Ankaragücü, stepping up to become the manager when Lemerre was sacked in May 2010. His first managerial position was that of Ankaragücü, who he managed for over six months. After Ankaragücü, Özat also managed: Manisaspor, Elazığspor, Boluspor, Samsunspor, Mersin İdman Yurdu, Gençlerbirliği, Giresunspor and Adana Demirspor. On 16 December 2019, he became the new manager of, at the time, Bosnian Premier League club Čelik Zenica, signing a contract with the club until the summer of 2021. In his first official game as Čelik manager, Özat's team lost in a 2–0 league game against Zrinjski Mostar on 23 February 2020. He left Čelik in June 2020.

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKeçiörengücü1994–95TFF Third League25000——250Gençlerbirliği1995–96Süper Lig17010——1801996–9733241——3731997–9834530——3751998–9931130——3411999–200033311——3442000–012000——20Total15011122——16213Bursaspor (loan)2000–01Süper Lig24120——261Fenerbahçe2001–02Süper Lig3012060—3812002–033011050—3612003–0432740——3672004–053124080—4322005–063408060—4802006–07251607000381Total1821225032000239121. FC Köln2007–082. Bundesliga32000——3202008–09Bundesliga3000——30Total35000——350Career total416243923200048726