It was beneath a late autumn sun that, just a fortnight ago, we found Patrick Kluivert by the scorched banks of the Seyhan, with the grand Sabanci Mosque blaring back across Turkey’s longest river. Little did we know at the time, but he should have picked up a prayer mat and waded through those shallow waters.
This was his first job in management, with Adana Demirspor, an ambitious club with a wealthy owner. The night before, Mail Sport had dinner with the sporting director, Alper Aslan, a lovely chap who spoke well of Kluivert. While we scoffed humous and the world famous Adana kebab, there was an engagement on a table nearby.