Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt
Fenerbahce announced on October 28 that Dirk Kuyt would take charge of the first team until a new head coach was found.
The appointment followed the resignation of Ismail Kartal, who left a day after a 2-1 derby defeat to Galatasaray.
Kuyt, 46, had returned to the Istanbul club in June as Kartal’s assistant. He played for Fenerbahce from 2012 to 2015 and won the Turkish league title in 2013-14.
The timing was unusual. Liverpool, where he scored 71 goals in 285 appearances between 2006 and 2012, were due in Istanbul for a Champions League tie within a week.
Kuyt’s first match in charge was a 2-1 home defeat to Goztepe on October 31. Fenerbahce led through Matteo Guendouzi but conceded twice late on.
Liverpool arrived for the November 4 game with three wins from three in the league phase. Trey Nyoni gave them the lead in the 25th minute with a deflected volley.
Mason Greenwood levelled four minutes later with a free kick that struck Jeremy Jacquet in the Liverpool wall. Substitute Alexander Isak restored the lead in the 69th minute with a header from Cody Gakpo’s cross.
Archie Brown equalised in the 73rd minute, and Vedat Muriqi headed the winner in the 79th. It was Liverpool’s first defeat in Europe this season.
“I’m very happy with all the players, I’m very happy with all the people who were involved that we made a miracle tonight because I think not many people expected us to win [playing] Liverpool,” Kuyt told reporters.
Fenerbahce have now confirmed that Kuyt has left the club. The announcement came a week after the win.
The club had appointed former captain Emre Belozoglu as head coach on November 3, the night before the Liverpool match. Kuyt stayed in charge for that game, and Belozoglu took over afterwards.
Kuyt is not part of Belozoglu’s coaching staff. In its statement, Fenerbahce wrote: “Our Yellow and Blue story began years ago, and the bond between us has never been broken.
“You were with us, first on the field, then on the bench. With your love and devotion to the striped jersey, you have earned a special place in all our hearts.
“We sincerely thank you for everything you have contributed to these colors.
“Today we bid you farewell, but your place in this great family will never change. Because some farewells are not separations, but the expression of an eternal bond.
“May your path be clear, Dirk!”
Kuyt oversaw two matches, losing one and winning one. Before joining Fenerbahce this summer, he managed ADO Den Haag, Beerschot and FC Dordrecht.
Belozoglu’s first game was a 5-0 away win at Corum on November 8. Greenwood and Irfan Can Kahveci scored twice each, and Oguz Aydin added the fifth.
Fenerbahce are sixth in the Super Lig and 19th in the 36-team Champions League table.
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