After ten years abroad, Jimmy Durmaz, 33, is open about his ambition.
He wants to return to Allsvenskan.
The midfielder, who is experiencing a revival in Turkey under new coach Andrea Pirlo, says I am very, very eager to go home.
left summer 2012 Jimmy Dormaz Malmo FF He moved to Turkish Genclerbirligi. Ten years later, he represented four other professional foreign clubs – Olympiacos, Toulouse, Galatasaray and now Fatih Karagomrock – he played 49 internationals and participated in the EC and WC finals for Sweden.
But it’s time to close the cycle. He plays last season under contract with innovative Turkish player Karagomruk, who after his move to Zuberlij ended eight consecutive years in the Premier League where Durmaz was a regular starter.
What do you want when the contract expires next summer?
I feel fitter than ever and have found another joy in my new role on the pitch. I feel like I have several years left in me. Then we’ll see where it ends up, Durmaz tells Sportbladet.
The family lives in Stockholm
– I’m very anxious to move home. Allsvenskan is growing in my eyes. There is a lot of interest, there are a lot of spectators, football has developed, the economy is getting better. I watch many matches with great joy from here in Istanbul. It’s really fun to watch.
– The family lives in their home in Sweden, in Stockholm, and the children have started school. But it is difficult to say what is happening in the world of football. I have rejected many Turkish clubs this summer and I know I will get new offers when this contract with Karagümrük expires in the summer.
This summer, player legend Andrea Pirlo took on coaching responsibilities at Karagomrock with an Italian crew. In the first league rounds, the more experienced Swede in the team had to be content with subs.
– He wanted to let a younger player get a chance. Not a problem. We have a good chat with Pirlo. We also ran a different setup at the opening. Now I had to step in from the start in the last two games to direct it and decide the outcome, says Durmaz with a laugh.
The 33-year-old says he has been given a new lease on life on the pitch.
– For two years I was playing as a central midfielder. Now I am also injury free and in good physical shape. I alternate between being a more defensive or offensive midfielder. My role is mostly the same. I will have a lot of ball and build the match from my halves. When we’re up in the game, I’ll be there and contribute the second assist, opening up the opportunity for us to step up and create chances. It’s a role and position that I enjoy a lot.
To listen to Norling
– I wish I had done it earlier in my career.
why?
– I found myself in a completely different way. I get more out of my history centrally than at the edge. I used to play at 80 percent of my ability, and now I’m closer to 100.
– I should have listened to Ricard Norling in 2012, on Malmö FF, says Jimmy Durmaz.
What did Norling say?
– My transition to Genclerbirligi was basically complete and then Norling wanted to test someone else in my position on the edge in the MFF and I had to play central in a practice session. “Damn, why didn’t I do this before?” Norling said then. Then I moved abroad and was appointed as a winger and here I played for the national team as well.
– I was young and stupid and just thought the edge game was fun.
So now you’re the new Andrea Pirlo…?
– Haha, it works fine for me, but I’m nowhere near that. I received a lot of compliments from him and learned a lot from Pirlo. You can see what a soccer match it is. If you see five options, it will find 25.
This summer, Sportbladet wrote about Durmaz’s offer to Allsvenskan clubs, and that he could terminate his contract a year earlier with Karagümrük in Istanbul.
Have you been close to moving home now during the summer?
– number. There were mostly some funny rumors. I was with my son in the cup final, Hammaby-Malmö, and then I checked on the Hammarby academy team because my husband’s nephew plays there. My son wanted to start playing football and after that we were looking at the activities of the Hammarby guys. I’ve also trained with Hammarby before national team rallies before and know some players.
MFF is the team of Durmaz
– If something concrete had come from Sweden, I would have taken a stand on it. But there was nothing at the time and I was training really well with Pirlo here during pre-season when that talk came.
Would Hammarby suit you better if you had to choose?
– I’ve always said that the first option is Malmö FF if you move home. But then the MFF should be interested, too. Hammarby is a great club. I’ve attended many of their matches, they are on a fun stage and I live in Stockholm when I’m at home. I can’t close the door on anything in Allsvenskan.
– I have kept in touch with many players about Malmö FF. I’ve always been in touch with Ponne (Pontus Jansson). Among those playing now, I’m Isaac (Kissie Tellin), Martin (Olson), and Johann (Dahlin) are the ones texting or talking to them.
How do you see the Malmö FF season?
– In terms of games and results, it is not working with Malmö at the moment. It can’t be blamed that there are many players over 30 years old. There are guys out there who have to step up and develop and take on more responsibility, as my generation did when we broke into MFF. It is important that he have a good mix in Malmö who will be able to perform at a high level at the Olsvenskan and the European Games, says Durmaz, who on Thursday night followed the 0-2 loss in the Europa League premiere against Braga.
Häcken gives a great golden opportunity
– MFF lacks its DNA in the game and doesn’t feel like Europe’s evenings, the ones when it’s really hard to face MFF in Malmö. Then you should never compromise on such goals in Europe.
Which team wins the Allsvenskan?
The hedge looks strong and plays really great football. Malmö is too far behind. Hammarby needs to perform as much away from home as they do at home, and then they can fight Häcken along the way. I think the European Games will upset Djurgarden. Haken and Hamarby are the ones who settled the matter. That will likely be decided when they meet each other.
– The Allsvenskan is a great league to follow and I think there are people who are more drawn to it than me. Check out MFF’s signature on Mustafa Zeidan. A few years ago he moved abroad. Now he is sexy enough and getting paid to stay at Allsvenskan. “Hopefully some guys can stay a year or two before they leave,” says Jimmy Durmaz.
