Tuncay Sanli was voted as the fan favourite in the last year's ISL and he wants to return back to India for the next edition of the tournament, believing it has a high standard...

Tuncay Sanli's popularity across Turkey is already well cemented, with him being inscribed into the national team's record book as their second highest goal scoere, with 22 goals, and their eighth highest cap accumulator, 80.

The Sakarya-born striker has had a widely spanning career in domestic football as well, with clubs such as Fenerbache, Middlesborough, Stoke City, and Qatari Club Umm Salal littering his CV. His most recent venture however, was with FC Pune City in the Indian Super League (ISL), form whom he made 11 appearances, scoring three goals.

Now, Tuncay closely watched the progress of his Ay-Yıldızlılar at the European Championships in France and believes his coaching stint with Fatih Terim is helping him prepare adequately for life after his footballing career in a role of a coach. Sanli also states the standard of ISL matches was good, stating that India 'has taken control of my heart'.

The 34-year-old was a widely popular figure not just amongst fans of his franchise, in the ISL as a whole, and in an interview with Goal, he has hoped for a return to India in the next edition of the two and a half month long tournament, saying he had a feeling of 'home' at Pune City's Balewadi Sports Complex.

Excerpts -

Goal - How did you like your experience in India last year?

Tuncay Sanli (TS) - India was great. The people were so warm and welcoming, and the FC Pune City fans treated me so well. I still remember the fans chanting my name and carrying flags with my picture on it. Seeing the ‘Efzane Turk’ flag made me feel at home again!

Goal - What did you think of the standard of football in India?

TS - The ISL is only in its third year and the coverage of the tournament is growing worldwide. As the first Turkish player to participate, I was both proud and humbled that my move to the ISL made sports headlines in Turkey. This shows you how relevant the ISL is becoming in global football. The standard of the matches was also good, and will continue to get better. I said it last year - some of the Indian players are very talented, and with more training, more coaching, and better exposure, I am sure that we will see an Indian player do really big things soon.

G -Was there any one Indian player that stood out to you?

TS - There were many Indian players of a high standard that were both playing in my team, and playing against me. I am confident that some of these players could be successful abroad.

TS - I have been training, as I hope to return to India, and I have also been involved in the Turkish national set up. I have been assisting with the coaching, and was with the team in the build up to the European Championships, as well as in France. It was a great experience for me, as I have been taking my coaching licences and after I finish playing, I would like to become a coach. There is no better way to start than by learning from Fatih Terim. In addition to keeping fit, I followed what was going on in the I-League a little bit. India has taken a hold of my heart so it’s not easy to let it go!

G - The fans loved you last year, and you were also rated as one of the best foreign players of ISL 2015, would you be interested in returning to ISL this year?

TS - Absolutely. I have been blessed to have had a such a great career, and I can truly say that ISL is one of my highlights. Of course, I would have liked to have won the tournament, however I am fit, strong and ready to return to India. Hopefully my team and I will lift that trophy this year.