Mohamed Salah in action during the Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Kasimpasa and Trabzonspor in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Mohamed Salah in action during the Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Kasimpasa and Trabzonspor in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Former Liverpool winger Mo Salah will play in the UEFA Conference League after nine-man Trabzonspor’s loss – which prompted his manager to quit live on TV.
Salah finds himself at a club in turmoil after only his fourth game for Trabzonspor ended in a 5-0 aggregate defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League playoffs.
The 34-year-old – who scored twice on his full Super Lig debut just three days previous – played 64 minutes in a second-leg loss to the Hungarian side.
An early red card for midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi saw Trabzonspor lose control completely and Callum O’Dowda made it 1-0 on the night soon after.
? 90’ Final Whistle
Ferencvaros 4-0 Trabzonspor #FTCvTS pic.twitter.com/7eBKlmmEqB
— Trabzonspor English (@TrabzonsporEN) August 27, 2026
Ferencvaros scored three more in the second half with no reply from their visitors, who also had right-back Sidny Lopes Cabral dismissed for two bookable offences.
Having lost 1-0 in the first leg and then 4-0 in the decider in Budapest, Trabzonspor were knocked out of the Europa League and will now play in the UEFA Conference League this season.
Salah already knew his run in the Champions League had come to an end after leaving Liverpool, but his decision to head to Turkey means he now finds himself in the third tier of Europe.
Salah’s new manager quits live on TV – board rejects it
The manner of Trabzonspor’s defeat prompted head coach Fatih Tekke to announce his resignation live on TV.
In an interview after the game, Tekke said: “I won’t drag this out. As of now, I am resigning from my 18-month tenure.
“I feel I have the right to impose this punishment on myself.
“I haven’t told the management about my resignation. I’m saying this on TV for the first time. No one knows.”
Egypt's Mohamed Salah wearing his new Trabzonspor team jersey gestures to supporters as he arrives at the airport in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Samet Yalcin/DIA Photo via AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah wearing his new Trabzonspor team jersey gestures to supporters as he arrives at the airport in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Samet Yalcin/DIA Photo via AP)
Trabzonspor’s board have, however, chosen not to accept Tekke’s resignation and maintain that the 48-year-old will remain in his position.
A club statement reads: “Our head coach, Fatih Tekke, has decided to resign due to the intense emotional impact of the defeat against Ferencvaros.
“The Trabzonspor board of directors has not accepted the resignation.
“Fatih Tekke continues in his role as head coach and will be in charge of our team for the upcoming league match against Amedspor.”
It is a remarkable turn of events which sums up the fiery nature of Turkish football, which Salah will no doubt become accustomed to over his two-year contract.
Trabzonspor have also recently added former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho to their squad, with the Brazilian arriving on a free transfer after his release from Al-Ittihad.
bhatia1
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool FC v Leeds United FC
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's captain Dominik Szoboszlai speaks to head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. Leeds won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Glasner, Frimpong, Kerkez collage
Glasner, Frimpong, Kerkez collage