Trabzonspor Assistant Coach Orhan Kaynak Dies at 56

Orhan Kaynak, the assistant coach of Turkish Süper Lig club Trabzonspor, has died at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack. The news was confirmed on March 10, 2026, marking a tragic loss for Turkish football.

A Career Spanning Playing and Coaching

Born on March 1, 1970, in Adana, Turkey, Kaynak enjoyed a lengthy career as a footballer, primarily as a striker. He played for several prominent Turkish clubs, including Adanaspor, Samsunspor, Trabzonspor, Beşiktaş, and Kocaelispor . He also had brief stints with Xanthi in Greece and İstanbul Başakşehir in Turkey. Kaynak represented Turkey at the U21 level, earning 6 caps and scoring 1 goal.

Transition to Coaching

Following his retirement from professional football, Kaynak transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach for several clubs, including Eskişehirspor, Sivasspor, Çaykur Rizespor, and most recently, Trabzonspor . He also had managerial spells with Sarıyer, Elazığspor, and Boluspor .

A Family History of Heartbreak

Kaynak’s death is particularly poignant given a history of heart-related illnesses within his family. His brothers, İrfan Kaynak (died 1992), Kayhan Kaynak (died 1994), Reşit Kaynak (died 1999), and İlhan Kaynak (died 2021), all passed away due to heart attacks . This tragic pattern has deeply saddened the Turkish sports community.

Recent Role at Trabzonspor

At the time of his death, Kaynak was working as an assistant coach under Fatih Tekke at Trabzonspor, having returned to the club in March 2025 . He had been with the club until his passing on March 10, 2026.

Orhan Kaynak’s contributions to Turkish football, both as a player and a coach, will be remembered. His untimely death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of heart health and the fragility of life.