Ismail Kartal resigned as head coach of Fenerbahce simply minutes after the Turkish aspect’s 1-1 draw with Roma within the Champions League.
Kartal made the shock announcement in his post-match information convention, stating he plans to by no means return to the membership he beforehand served as a participant and assistant coach.
He got here again to Fenerbahce for a fourth spell as supervisor in June 2026, with the membership returning to the Champions League for the primary time in 18 years.
Now he departs with the workforce sitting ninth within the Turkish Tremendous Lig after two wins and two defeats, and after just one Champions League match.
“I’ve been right here three months. From the start of the season till right now, the coaching periods and camps we held with the gamers, and the efforts of our president, have been very useful. These had been great days,” Kartal mentioned.
“As of this night, I congratulate my gamers and resign from my place.
“I made this choice to pave the best way for my membership. We made this choice collectively as a workforce.
“Any longer, to assist Fenerbahce, my gamers and future coaches, I’ve resigned from my place, with the intention of by no means returning.”
Membership president Aziz Yildirim has not accepted 65-year-old Kartal’s resignation.
Yildirim mentioned in an announcement launched on Fenerbahce’s web site, exterior: “Ismail Kartal continues to be in cost. The membership ought to help our coach. Till I depart, Ismail Kartal is the pinnacle coach of Fenerbahce.”
Yildirim confirmed he spoke to Kartal following the information convention, with the coach citing “strain” of the position and a mid-match incident the place he was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands as components in his choice.
In a put up on social media, the membership mentioned a spectator concerned within the bottle incident has been recognized and banned from the stadium.
Yildirim criticised the perspective of the membership’s supporters and the media, pinpointing the “strain” created by the fixed criticism and calling for each events to “uphold the values of the Fenerbahce group” and present higher respect to Kartal.
Doubling down on Kartal’s future, he mentioned: “This group ought to help Ismail Kartal. You’ll be able to’t present help by throwing punches at him like this.
“Ismail Kartal would not must say he’ll proceed. I’m his senior. I mentioned he’ll proceed, and that is it. We’re a household.”
Kartal’s announcement got here as a shock to Fenerbahce’s gamers, with English defender Archie Brown, whose Forty eighth-minute equaliser cancelled out Bryan Cristante’s first-half effort for Italian aspect Roma, fully bowled over in a post-match interview.
When knowledgeable of Kartal’s resignation, Brown mentioned: “What do you imply he resigned? As coach? He isn’t the coach any extra? He mentioned this simply now? I did not learn about this.”
Kartal received the Turkish Tremendous Cup in 2014 throughout his first spell as supervisor, having beforehand spent 4 years as an assistant coach. As a participant, he received two league titles amongst six trophies with the membership.