Ismail Kartal has resigned as head coach of Fenerbahce just minutes after the Turkish side’s 1-1 draw with Roma in the Champions League.
Kartal announced his decision during his post-match news conference, saying he intended to step away from the club permanently.
The 65-year-old returned to Fenerbahce for a fourth spell as manager in June 2026, with the club making its return to the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.
However, Kartal leaves with Fenerbahce ninth in the Turkish Super Lig after two wins and two defeats, and following just one Champions League match.
“I have been here three months. From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps we held with the players, and the efforts of our president, have been very helpful. Those were wonderful days,” Kartal said.
“As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position.
“I made this decision to pave the way for my club. We made this decision together as a team.
“From now on, to help Fenerbahce, my players and future coaches, I have resigned from my position, with the intention of never returning.”
However, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim rejected Kartal’s resignation and insisted he remains in charge.
Yildirim said in a statement published on the club’s website: “Ismail Kartal is still in charge. The club should support our coach. Until I leave, Ismail Kartal is the head coach of Fenerbahce.”
Yildirim said he spoke with Kartal after the news conference, with the coach citing the pressure of the role and a mid-match incident in which he was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands as factors behind his decision.
Fenerbahce later said the spectator involved in the incident had been identified and banned from the stadium.
Yildirim also criticised the attitude of supporters and the media, blaming constant criticism for creating pressure around the coach and urging both sides to uphold the values of the Fenerbahce community.
“This community should support Ismail Kartal. You can’t show support by throwing punches at him like this,” Yildirim said.
“Ismail Kartal doesn’t need to say he’ll continue. I am his senior. I said he’ll continue, and that’s it. We’re a family.”
Kartal’s announcement also surprised the Fenerbahce players, including English defender Archie Brown, who scored the equaliser against Roma.
After being informed of the resignation in a post-match interview, Brown said: “What do you mean he resigned? As coach? He’s not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn’t know about this.”
Kartal won the Turkish Super Cup in 2014 during his first spell as Fenerbahce manager, having previously spent four years as an assistant coach.
As a player, he won two league titles and six trophies with the club.
Boluwatife Enome
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