During his two-decade career as a player, Graeme Souness was never the shy and retiring type.
The phrase ‘no nonsense midfielder’ fit the Scot like a glove during his career, marshalling the centre of the park for the likes of Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Sampdoria and Rangers, leaving trails of opponents in his wake.
Souness also brought this same attitude into the dugout, beginning his coaching career as Rangers player-manager in 1986, before returning to Liverpool five years later.
Brad Friedel on Souness’ infamous flag plant
Souness’ next stop as a manager was in Turkey, when he took over at Galatasaray in 1995, a place where his fiery personality would clash with some of Europe’s most intimidating fans.
Having played in and managed Old Firm and Merseyside derbies, the Scot was no stranger to bitter rivalries, but he had never previously attempted a move so audacious as the one he did when his side were pitted against Fenerbahce in the 1996 Turkish Cup Final.
After claiming a 1-1 draw to seal a 2-1 aggregate win in their rivals’ backyard, Souness’ reaction was to sprint to the centre circle and plant a giant Galatasaray flag in the middle of the pitch.
It was one of the most incendiary moves a manager could make and it even floored the Galatasaray goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who was stood in the centre circle at the time.
“Due to the rivalry, if you can win a derby match, especially one that results in a trophy, you instantly become a hero to millions,” Friedel tells FourFourTwo for our Games That Changed My Life series.
“I played very well in the two-legged cup final. The second leg was the iconic game when Graeme Souness planted the Galatasaray flag in the middle of Fenerbahce’s pitch.
“I was next to him when he did that and was thinking, ‘Oh boy, this isn’t going to go down well.’”
Friedel was correct, with the incident lighting the touchpaper on an already combustible atmosphere.
“We had to sit in the changing rooms for three hours after because of rioting,” he continues.
“Fener fans smashed up our coach and tried to tip it over. That game was massive and I still recall the win fondly.”
