Game Theory and Galatasaray Essay

Game Theory: Galatasaray

"What economists call game theory psychologists call the theory of social situations, which is an accurate description of what game theory is about. Although game theory is relevant to parlor games such as poker or bridge, most research in game theory focuses on how groups of people interact" (Levine, 2013). Game theory is used in a variety of situations and professions where it is imperative to use razor-sharp strategy and to be adaptable to a given situation, planning for the future. Game theory is important in the task of manipulating situations to achieve specific goals.

Recently, Galatasaray ended their contract with Fatih Terim, to the shock of most people. Many people speculated as to why Galatasaray ended their contract with Terim, seeing as how Galatasaray is the biggest soccer club in Turkey with 19 league championships, fourteen Turkish cups, one UEFA cup and one Super cup -- and the bulk of these successes came with Terim (Galatasaray.org). However, the moves of this soccer club, which seem completely erratic and arbitrary can actually be viewed with the light of lucidity and strategy when one applies the lens of game theory on them.

Galatasray has struggled for the last decade or so to achieve and maintain success: because of this struggle the soccer club went through a wide variety of changes. Just two years ago the former president Adnan Polat was voted off his seat and replaced by Unal Aysal. This new president replaced the current manager with Terim: this new team leader empowered the team to win the league championship. However, the success was not able to last as a result of friction between Aysal and Terim.This led to power struggles, such as the signing of Wesley Sneijder, which was not approved of by Terim. Personalities started to grate and the public dialogues and fights between Aysal and Terim started to undermine the integrity of the team through the animosity that was between them. This discord was heightened by the fact that Galatasaray experienced elimination by Real Madrid in the quarter-final of the champion's league and started to lose points in the league. This but an additional stress on the situation. It was obvious to all who followed the team that even though Galatasaray was pushing for the championship, there was an intense crisis between Terim and Aysal.

The media was able to pick up on the fact that a fissure of leadership was occurring: for instance, at start of this season Aysal gave an interview saying that he was going to give Terim a new contract. A few days later, Terim gave an interview saying that no such thing happened. In response to Aysal's so-called lie; Terim signed a contract with the national team of Turkey. After signing the contract Terim gave a statement saying that Aysal approved him signing a contract with the national team. Later on Aysal said that Terim did not get his approval before signing the contract. As similar conflicts between the two continued, the team suffered profoundly.

Galatasaray might have started the season with a win, but eventually came up with four draws, finishing seventh in the league. One of the lowest points which perhaps underscored the intense fractions that were occurring within the team's leadership was….....