Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim has hit back at the freshly departed Alex de Souza after the Brazilian had earlier released a statement explaining his departure from the club.
Alex, 35, had been at the club for eight years and, only last month, had a statue erected in his image outside the club"s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.
The former Coritiba and Cruzeiro midfielder alleged that the club decided to let him go in a meeting lasting just three minutes, coming after manager Aykut Kocaman had dropped him from the side.
The news of his departure was mourned by many furious supporters, with several protesting overnight at the club"s administration.
Aziz, though, has set out to alter the Brazilian"s version of events that had painted the club in such negative light.
Aziz"s statement read: “First of all everyone should know, I"ve always admired Alex. When the fans were booing him I stood up in support. What actually happened between Alex is Aykut [Kocaman] phone me and said Alex wants to see you. Alex was supposed to come at 16:00, they made me made for 15 minutes.
“I"m going into details but unfortunately this is what it"s come to. Alex entered the room with his phone in his hand Tweeting away. Alex wouldn"t look at my face, so I asked Samet [Translator] what his concern was. Alex told me the manager doesn"t want him and asked for my opinion. I told Alex to do whatever he felt was right, he said he wants to leave and wanted to mutually terminate his contract.
“They say I made up my mind in three minutes, if I have to I"ll decide in a second not three minutes, if it"s in Fenerbahçe"s interests nothing comes above that, I"ll decide in the blink of an eye if it"s for the benefit of the club. Nobody is bigger than the club, not me, not Alex not Aykut Kocaman.
“Also I"d like to add, I asked Alex how he"d like to leave the club, I told him we can organize a meal or a testimonial match however, Alex declined. Were afraid of nobody, as long as I"m here and as long as Aykut Kocaman wants to stay as manager here he"ll remain as manager."
