Fenerbahce Coach Announces Resignation, Club President Tells Him to Stay
Ismail Kartal said he was leaving to clear the way for the club after a bottle incident and pressure from supporters and media.
- Fenerbahçe head coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation Thursday after a 1-1 draw against Roma in their Champions League opener, but club president Aziz Yildirim immediately rejected the decision, insisting the coach remains in charge.
- The 65-year-old Kartal returned for a fourth managerial spell in June 2026, overseeing the club's return to the Champions League for the first time in 18 years before this sudden post-match departure.
- Citing "pressure" and a mid-match bottle-throwing incident, Kartal announced his departure, leaving English defender Archie Brown "completely taken aback" by the sudden news.
- Yildirim told reporters that Kartal "continues in his role," criticizing media and supporters for the "pressure" that fueled the coach's decision to resign.
- Despite Kartal's stated intention to leave "never to return" to help the club, Yildirim emphasized that the community must support the coach, effectively overriding the resignation.
85 Articles
85 Articles
Eighteen years after the last Champions League game, Fenerbahce Istanbul has a draw at the comeback - and then a big spin around the coach. It's better for Dino Toppmöller.
Chaos at Fenerbahçe: After the 1:1 against AS Rome, Ismail Kartal announces his resignation. President Aziz Yıldırım contradicts – all the background.
Fenerbahce coach announces resignation, club president tells him to stay
ISTANBUL, Sept 10 : Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation on Thursday after a 1-1 draw with Roma in his team's return to the Champions League, but minutes later the club president said Kartal would stay in the job.The 65-year-old Kartal told a press conference he was leaving "never t
Eighteen years after the last Champions League game, Fenerbahçe Istanbul has a draw at the comeback - and then a big spin around the coach. It's better for Dino Toppmöller.
Eighteen years after the last Champions League game, Fenerbahçe Istanbul has a draw at the comeback - and then a big spin around the coach. It's better for Dino Toppmöller.
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