Manisaspor

History

Manisaspor Kulübü was founded in 1931 as Sakaryaspor, although the club was not located in the Sakarya Province. The original club colours were black and white. Sakaryaspor won the Manisa Amateur League 15 times, and finished 3rd in the Turkish Amateur League in 1954.

The club ceased operations during World War II but continued competing in 1946. In 1964, Manisaspor were allowed to compete professionally in the 1.Lig as Manisa Sakaryaspor. In their first season, the club finished with 16 points, earning them relegation. However, on 15 June 1965 at 21:00, Sakaryaspor officially became Manisaspor, and the club was allowed to compete in the 1. Lig again.

Manisaspor spent the first forty years of their existence in the lower leagues of the Turkish football league system. In 2000, they received a financial boost from Zorlu Holding, who injected the club with money. In turn, Manisaspor were re-branded as Vestel Manisaspor. Their first promotion to the Süper Lig came in 2005 under the guidance of manager Levent Eriş.

Ersun Yanal was named new manager for the 2005–06 season. At the end of the winter break in the 2006–07 season, Manisaspor were flying high in fourth position. However, they could not keep up the results, finishing in 12th place, four points away from relegation.

Manisaspor finally relegated from the First League after finishing as 16th in the 2014–15 season and returned to the third level after 13 years. As of the 2025–2026 season they are competing in the Turkish Regional Amateur League.

Colours and badge

Manisaspor originally wore black and white kits. The club changed their badge, removing the Vestel moniker and replacing it with the club's foundation year (1965).

Former sponsors

• Vestel (2000–2007)

League participations

• Süper Lig: 2005–2008, 2009–2012
• TFF First League: 1964–1978, 1980–1983, 1991–1993, 1994–1995, 2002–2005, 2008–2009, 2012–2015, 2016–2018
• TFF Second League: 1978–1980, 1984–1991, 1993–1994, 1995–2002, 2015–2016, 2018–2019
• TFF Third League: 2019–2021
• Turkish Regional Amateur League: 2021–2022, 2025–
• Amateur Level: 1931–1964, 1983–1984, 2022–2025

Manisali Tarzan

The club has a loyal following in the city. Their ultras are known as ‘Tarzanlar’, named after a local hero known as ‘Manisa Tarzanı’ (Tarzan of Manisa). He was a veteran of World War I decorated with military honors who gave up his privileges, giving all his money to the poor, to commit his life to the reforestation of Manisa after most of the city's trees and green areas were burned down during the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).

Notable former players

Managers

• Turkey Reha Kapsal (2001)
• Turkey Mustafa Denizli (2003–04)
• Turkey Ersun Yanal (Oct 2005 – May 7)
• Turkey Giray Bulak (March 2007 – Jan 08)
• Turkey Yilmaz Vural (Jan 2008 – March 8)
• Turkey Levent Eriş (March 2008 – June 9)
• Turkey Mesut Bakkal (2009–10)
• Turkey Reha Kapsal (2010)
• Turkey Hakan Kutlu (July 2010 – Sept 10)
• Turkey Hikmet Karaman (Sept 2010 – June 11)
• Turkey Kemal Özdeş (Aug 2011 – Jan 12)
• Turkey Ümit Özat (2012)
• Turkey Taner Taşkın (2014–16; 2018)

References

References

1. "Manisaspor – Club Details TFF".
2. [http://www.manisaspor.org.tr/tarihce.htm TARİHÇE] {{webarchive. link. (2009-12-19 manisaspor.org.tr {{in lang). tr, accessed 28 May 2010
3. [https://www.manisaspor.org.tr/Tarik-Almis-Spor-Tesisleri Tarık Almış Spor Tesisleri], manisaspor.org.tr. Retrieved 23 May 2025
4. [https://www.angelfire.com/nj/sivritepe/6465/tl.html 1964–1965 1. Lig] turkish-soccer.com (Erdinç Sivritepe), accessed 28 May 2010
5. [https://www.manisaspor.org.tr/Tarihce Tarihçe], manisaspor.org.tr. Retrieved 23 May 2025
6. [[Süper Lig 2005–06]]
7. link. (2011-10-17)