Background and career
Arif Erdem (born 2 January 1972) is a Turkish retired football manager and former professional player who played in the forward position. Starting out with local club Zeytinburnuspor in 1990, Erdem had a decorated 15-year professional career. He scored 106 goals in 341 league matches and finished joint top scorer (Gol Kralı) of the Süper Lig with İlhan Mansız at the conclusion of the 2001–02 season.
During his 14 years with Galatasaray, Erdem won seven Süper Lig titles and five Turkish Cup titles, as well as the UEFA Cup in 2000. He was a part of the Turkey national team that finished third at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Erdem was capped 60 times, scoring eleven goals.
He managed İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor from 2011 to 2012.
