Mason Greenwood's new club Fenerbahce have been embroiled in a controversial management saga
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 10: Mason Greenwood of Fenerbahce looks on during the warm up before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Fenerbahce SK and AS Roma at Fenerbahce Sükrü Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi on September 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Mason Greenwood has endured a turbulent time at his new club(Image: Ahmad Mora - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)
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Mason Greenwood's new club Fenerbahce have issued a statement confirming that head coach Ismail Kartal is "still in his position." The announcement came late on Friday, merely 24 hours after Kartal publicly stepped down following his side's 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma.
Former Manchester United forward Greenwood, 24, has faced a difficult period since his transfer from Marseille this summer, owing to the club's underwhelming results and the ensuing situation surrounding Kartal.
The controversy began when Kartal revealed during his post-match press conference following the Roma fixture that he intended to step down from his role. Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, however, declined to approve Kartal's exit.
Yildirim stated in a communication published on Fenerbahce'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."
That position has now been reinforced with a direct statement released on Friday. The club said: "Our Head Coach, Mr. İsmail Kartal, is still in his position.
"Our team will continue preparations for the Gaziantep FK match with a training session tomorrow at 11.30am under the direction of our Head Coach İsmail Kartal. We hereby inform the public."
Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal speaks during a press conference following the UEFA Champions League tie against Roma
Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal speaks during a press conference following the Champions League tie against Roma(Image: 2026 Anadolu)
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Kartal had only returned to Fenerbahce for his fourth stint as manager this summer. Speaking to reporters following the club's midweek Champions League fixture, the 65-year-old said: "I am resigning from my position while there is still time. I am resigning with the understanding that I will never return.
"I have been here for three months. From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps I conducted with my players ... our president and managers tried to help us in every way.
"Those were wonderful days. As of this evening, I congratulate my players, and I am resigning from my position. Therefore, I would like to thank all my fans, media members, staff, and fellow players who have supported me until today. I made this decision to pave the way for my club. We made this decision together as a team."
Kartal claimed the Turkish Super Cup during his maiden spell at the helm in 2014, while as a player he secured two league titles with the club. Despite this, Fenerbahce have endured a difficult start to the current campaign.
They presently occupy ninth place in the Turkish top-flight. President Yildirim rounded on the club's supporters and the media for heaping "pressure" on Kartal.
Fenerbahce Sports Club President Aziz Yildirim speaks to press after the Turkish Super Lig fourth-week football match between Fenerbahce and Besiktas at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye, on September 5, 2026
Fenerbahce Sports Club President Aziz Yildirim has had his say on Kartal(Image: Bunyamin Celik/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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At his press conference, the departing boss alluded to the mounting criticism, revealing he had been struck by a water bottle thrown from the stands during the Roma match. His stunning announcement left the club reeling.
English full-back Archie Brown was caught off guard upon learning of his manager's resignation following the Roma fixture. When asked whether Kartal had informed his players of his intention to step down, Brown appeared visibly taken aback.
He was subsequently told that his manager had quit during the post-match press conference, prompting Brown to say: "As coach? He's not the coach any more? I didn't know about this."
The forthcoming managerial change arrives just two months after Greenwood's transfer. Fenerbahce paid Marseille in the region of £33million for the one-time England international, with United pocketing £13million from the deal. Greenwood has made 11 appearances to date, contributing four goals and three assists.