Fenerbahce Manager Ismail Kartal Reverses Resignation After Roma Draw

Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal reversed his dramatic public resignation just a day after quitting following a 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma. Club president Aziz Yildirim refused to accept the departure, while the Istanbul club confirmed Kartal will remain in charge for upcoming domestic fixtures.

The Shock Champions League Resignation and Fan Confrontation

The turbulence at the Turkish giant unfolded immediately after a 1-1 draw against Roma in Istanbul, a result that marked the club’s long-awaited return to the Champions League group stage for the first time in 18 years. Media reports earlier Friday claimed Fenerbahçe had accepted Kartal’s resignation and that assistant coach Dirk Kuyt would temporarily manage the team. Fenerbahçe had initially refused to accept the 65-year-old’s resignation, but he nevertheless failed to attend training Friday.

“First of all, I congratulate my players for carrying out the tasks I assigned for tonight’s match to the letter. We played football worthy of the Champions League. We could have won the match; we had clear chances. The match ended in a draw, and I am proud of my players. Tonight, I am resigning from my position – never to return. I extend my heartfelt thanks to my players.” Ismail Kartal, Head Coach, via Anadolu Agency

Kartal had announced his resignation after the 1-1 draw in Istanbul that ended 18 years of Fenerbahçe’s absence from the Champions League. He did not explain why he was quitting just three months after taking up the position and refused to take questions during his briefing, though he separately told the media he made the decision to clear the way for his club and resigned while the path was still clear. Fans had hurled a water bottle at Kartal’s head during the match, and the coach was deeply distressed by a barrage of hostile social media abuse.

Presidential Rejection and Training Ground Return

Despite media reports claiming that Fenerbahce had already accepted the resignation and prepared assistant coach Dirk Kuyt to take over temporarily, the club’s leadership moved quickly to block the exit. Yıldırım held a separate press conference shortly after the incident to shut down any permanent departure, insisting that the club would not let the 65-year-old manager walk away.

Fenerbahce Manager Ismail Kartal Reverses Resignation After Roma Draw — Photo: dailypost.ng

“You saw the state Ismail was in. Can a person endure that much distress? They threw a water bottle at Ismail Kartal’s head. We saw it. That is why he is upset. Ismail Kartal remains in his post. I said [to Kartal]: ‘You will continue,’ and that was that.” Aziz Yıldırım, Club President

The club backed up the president’s words with official administrative action. Fenerbahce released an official statement on Friday evening to confirm that Kartal would remain in charge of the first team, dismissing rumors that crisis talks with club official Oguz Cetin had broken down. The club also stated that the person who had thrown a bottle at Kartal had been identified and banned from the stadium. By Saturday morning, official social media channels shared photos of the manager overseeing first-team training as part of preparations for their upcoming Süper Lig game against Gaziantep FK, directly dismissing earlier reports.

Domestic Pressure and the Upcoming Super Lig Test

With the managerial crisis temporarily averted, Fenerbahce must immediately turn their immediate focus back to the Süper Lig when they host Gaziantep FK on Monday night. Kartal returns to the touchline under significant pressure to improve domestic fortunes, as his side languishes in 11th place in the 18-team table.

'I've never seen anything like it' 😅 Fenerbahce blocks manager's resignation | ESPN FC

Kartal spent a decade at Fenerbahçe as a player, coached the club in 2014-15, then on an interim basis in 2021-22 before returning for a full campaign in 2023-24. He was assistant manager at Fenerbahçe the last two times the club won the Süper Lig and returned for a fourth managerial spell in June. Fenerbahçe have finished second in the Turkish top flight in the last five seasons and reached the league phase of the Champions League this season for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign. Securing three points against Gaziantep remains imperative if they are to ease internal tensions and win back frustrated supporters following a turbulent week in Istanbul.