Arda Turan’s Awkward Interview Style with Reporter Daria Bondar Savina Goes Viral.
A series of post-match interviews featuring Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Arda Turan and the club’s glamorous reporter, Daria Bondar Savina, has become a viral sensation online. Football fans and social media users have been captivated by Turan’s visibly awkward behavior, as the married 38-year-old seems to go to great lengths to avoid making eye contact with the 24-year-old journalist.
The latest instance occurred following Shakhtar Donetsk’s Europa League second qualifying round victory over Besiktas. During the interview, a fidgety Turan was captured on camera looking at the ground, to the side, and away from the reporter, a pattern of behavior that keen observers noted has been a recurring theme. The interviews, which have been widely shared and commented on, have sparked a flurry of lighthearted speculation among Turkish football fans.
Social media has been flooded with humorous takes on Turan’s interview style, with many attributing it to his loyalty to his wife, Aslihan Dogan Turan, whom he married in 2018. Playful comments have ranged from “His eyes are on the woman, his heart is on discipline” to “He is afraid of Aslihan, he dares not look anyone else in the eye.” Another popular joke was the simple but effective, “Looking down, marriage up.”
More Than Just Marital Loyalty?
While the jokes about his marital status and a potentially strict wife have dominated the online narrative, there could be another professional reason for Turan’s cautious demeanor. Daria Bondar Savina is not only a journalist for the club but is also married to one of Turan’s own players, Valeriy Bondar. This unique dynamic could be an additional factor contributing to the coach’s efforts to maintain a highly professional and distant posture during their on-camera interactions. As the newly appointed Shakhtar boss, having taken the job at the start of last month after a successful stint with Eyupspor in his native Turkey, Turan may simply be prioritizing a meticulous, no-nonsense approach to his new role.
For her part, Daria Bondar Savina has commented on the unexpected fame she has gained in Turkey because of the viral videos. In a recent Instagram post, she expressed her surprise and gratitude for the warm reception from Turkish fans and the media attention she has received. She noted she was “overwhelmed in the best way” by the flood of messages and kind words.
Despite the widespread attention and humorous commentary, both Turan and Savina have maintained their professionalism throughout their on-camera exchanges. Turan has not commented on the interviews, allowing the online commentary to continue, while Savina has focused on her positive experience and the hospitality of the Turkish fans.