Fotbal Club FCSB v Fenerbahce SK - UEFA Europa League 2025 26 League Phase MD8 A Fenerbahce flag is seen during the UEFA Europa League game between FCSB and Fenerbahce SK at National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, on January 29, 2026. Bucharest Romania PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xAlexxNicodimx originalFilename:nicodim-fotbalcl260129_npk0b.jpg
Fenerbahce are in the middle of a managerial upheaval one week before they host Liverpool in the Champions League.
The club announced on Tuesday that head coach Ismail Kartal has resigned.
It was Kartal’s second resignation in under two months. He first announced his departure in early September after a 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma, but club president Aziz Yildirim did not accept it.
The second decision came a day after Fenerbahce lost 2-1 to Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby on Monday. The club said it accepted the decision by mutual agreement.
Kartal’s fourth spell in charge lasted only a few months. He took over in June and won nine of his 18 matches.
Fenerbahce are fifth in the Super Lig, six points behind leaders Galatasaray. They also lost to Besiktas before the derby.
In Europe, they have two points from three league-phase games. After the draw with Roma, they lost 6-0 at Aston Villa on 14 October. They then drew 2-2 at home with Slavia Prague after leading 2-0.
On Wednesday, the club confirmed former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt as technical manager of the first team until a new head coach is determined.
The official statement reads: “Following İsmail Kartal’s resignation, our club has appointed Dirk Kuyt as the technical manager of our Football A Team until our new technical director is determined.”
Kuyt, 46, joined Fenerbahce as an assistant coach in June 2026. As a player, he won the Turkish league title with the club in 2013-14.
Liverpool supporters know him well. Kuyt made 285 appearances and scored 71 goals for the Reds between 2006 and 2012.
He scored in the 2007 Champions League final, which Liverpool lost to AC Milan. He also won the League Cup in 2012.
Kuyt left Anfield in June 2012 for Fenerbahce on a three-year deal. He scored 37 goals in 130 games for the Turkish side.
Liverpool play at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on Wednesday, November 4 . Kick-off is 5.45pm GMT, in matchday four of the league phase.
Kamuoyuna Duyuru
İsmail Kartal’ın istifasının ardından kulübümüz, yeni teknik direktörümüz belirlenene kadar Dirk Kuyt’ı Futbol A Takımımızın teknik sorumlusu olarak görevlendirmiştir.
Kamuoyunun bilgisine sunarız. https://t.co/4aaDpGN5DB
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) October 28, 2026
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FC Barcelona, Barca v Villarreal CF - LaLiga EA Sports Hansi Flick coaches FC Barcelona during the La Liga EA Sports 2025 26 match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on February 2026. Barcelona Catalonia Spain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xGongorax originalFilename:bonilla-fcbarcel260228_np3Tl.jpg