Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 19, 2026 – Former Leone Stars captain Steven Caulker has officially transitioned into coaching, joining Turkish Süper Lig club Konyaspor as first-team assistant manager under head coach İlhan Palut.
The 34-year-old, who retired from playing on January 1, 2026, after a stint with Icelandic side Stjarnan Gardabaer, announced the move on LinkedIn, expressing his excitement about the opportunity.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Caulker revealed that the offer came unexpectedly through a friend, but he is eager to embrace this next phase.
“I’m happy to announce that I have joined Turkish Süper Lig side, Konyaspor Kulübü Derneği, as first-team assistant coach,” he posted.
He acknowledged the demands of the role, emphasizing the need for hard work and preparation, particularly as Konyaspor prepares for a crucial upcoming match against league leaders Galatasaray on February 21, 2026.
Caulker’s playing career spanned over 15 years, featuring 430 appearances and 22 goals across various leagues.
Born in London on December 29, 1991, to a Sierra Leonean grandfather and Scottish grandmother, he rose through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, making his senior debut in 2009. Early loans to Yeovil Town, Bristol City, and Swansea City helped him gain experience, with his time at Swansea marking his Premier League breakthrough in 2011-12. He later played for Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers (with loans to Southampton and Liverpool), Dundee, and several Turkish clubs including Alanyaspor (2019-21), Fenerbahçe (2021-22, loaned to Gaziantep), and Fatih Karagümrük. His final playing years included Wigan Athletic, a brief player-manager role at Spanish side FC Málaga City, and Stjarnan in Iceland’s Úrvalsdeild.
Caulker’s five-year spell in Türkiye was particularly formative, where he made over 100 appearances and built strong connections in the league. This familiarity likely played a role in his return to the country for coaching. Internationally, Caulker earned one cap for England in 2012, scoring on debut against Sweden, and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
In a significant switch, he gained FIFA clearance in December 2021 to represent Sierra Leone, his ancestral homeland, amassing 18 caps and captaining the Leone Stars at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (held in 2022). There, he helped secure draws against Algeria and Ivory Coast before a group-stage exit. He retired from international duty in November 2024 after Sierra Leone failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
Beyond the pitch, Caulker has been open about personal challenges, including battles with alcohol addiction, gambling, depression, and injuries that impacted his career. His resilience has made him a role model, particularly in Sierra Leone, where his leadership inspired the national team and fans alike.
Konyaspor, currently sitting 14th in the Süper Lig with 20 points from 22 matches (4 wins, 8 draws, 10 losses), are fighting to climb the table amid a challenging season. The club, based in Konya, finished third in the league in 2021-22 but has struggled recently, sitting just above the relegation zone.
Caulker’s appointment brings a wealth of experience from both English and Turkish football, potentially bolstering the team’s defensive strategies under Palut, who has been at the helm since 2021.
