Rıdvan Dilmen

Rıdvan Dilmen

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Personal information
Full name	Rıdvan Dilmen
Date of birth	(1962-08-15) 15 August 1962
Place of birth	Nazilli, Turkey
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, Winger
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1977–1979	Sümerspor
1979–1980	Muğlaspor	10	(3)
1980–1983	Boluspor	41	(8)
1983–1987	Sarıyer	119	(29)
1987–1995	Fenerbahçe	108	(32)
Total		278	(72)
International career
1984-1992	Turkey	29	(5)
Managerial career
1998–1999	Vanspor
1999–2000	Fenerbahçe
2000–2001	Altay S.K.
2001–2002	Adanaspor
2002–2003	Karşıyaka SK
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rıdvan Dilmen (born on 15 August 1962 in Nazilli) is a former Turkish footballer who most notably played for Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national football team. During his career Rıdvan established himself as one of the most skilled players of the Turkish Super League. He was either an attacking midfielder or an out and out striker. Although he stated on numerous occasions his dislike for it, he was given the nickname "Şeytan Rıdvan" ("Rıdvan the Devil") mostly for his wits, immense speed with the ball and stupendous fakes. Since retiring as a player, Rıdvan coached several teams before becoming a color commentator, analyst and sportswriter.

Playing career

Dilmen made his debut with Aydın Sümerspor in 1977. He transferred to Muğlaspor in exchange for 25 footballs in 1979 and then became a renowned player for Boluspor between 1980–1983. After playing for Sarıyer between 1983–1987, he signed for Fenerbahçe and fulfilled his dream.

He was the main actor of the 1988–89 Turkish League season, which Fenerbahçe won the title with 103 goals in 36 matches. In the 1988–1989 season, he scored 19 goals and made 41 assists. After getting injured in 1990 against Trabzonspor by the Serbian defender Miodrag Ješić, he never fully recovered. Rıdvan failed to fulfill expectations due to consistent injuries, which required sixteen operations. He retired in 1995 after painful years of injuries. He is one of the symbol players not only for Fenerbahçe but for Turkish football also. The reason that his name is not as well-known worldwide are that he seldom had the chance to prove himself on the big international occasions. The Turkish national side for which he played, mostly in the 80s, was a no-hoper and Fenerbahçe's status on the European club stage was scarcely different.

Dilmen made 24 appearances for the Turkey national football team from 1984 to 1992.

Managerial career

Dilmen worked as a manager for Vanspor in 1997–98 season. When he started, although it was almost mid season, Vanspor had zero points. His club finished the season as champions of Turkish Second League. He then became Fenerbahçe football teams manager in 2000. However, his stay only lasted five weeks. He resigned as Fenerbahçe was eliminated from UEFA Cup at an early stage. Dilmen was also employed as a manager for Altay SK and Adanaspor and Karşıyaka SK. So far, he doesn't have a successful managing career as he was expected to deliver.

Commentating career

Ridvan Dilmen is a commentator at NTV Spor and a colomnist at Sabah (newspaper), in the same time he’s doing bet guesswork at Fanatik Newspaper. He is a narrator at Star TV for the important Champions League matches. Dilmen has a reputation of saying “it'll be a goal” a few moments before the ball hits the back of the net. He transferred to Sabah (newspaper) on 1 August 2010.