September 11: Fenerbahce were thrown into turmoil after head coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation following a 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma, only for club president Aziz Yildirim to overturn it minutes later.
Kartal used the post-match press conference to say he was leaving the club “never to come back”, adding that he wanted to “pave the way for the club”.
The 65-year-old had been hit by a bottle thrown from the stands during the game and was also understood to be frustrated by the pressure and criticism surrounding the team after a difficult start to the domestic season. That said, a draw in Roma isn’t the sort of result that would prompt such an abrupt resignation, pointing to problems behind the scenes.
It appeared to be the end of his fourth spell in office, before Yildirim stepped in.
“Some fans threw a bottle at the coach’s head this evening during the game. He is upset,” Fenerbahce’s president told reporters.
“I just spoke to Ismail Kartal. He mentioned the bottle incident and also complained about being under pressure.”
Asked if Kartal had agreed to stay, Yildirim replied: “I don’t need to say that I would continue. I’m his senior, I told him to continue and that’s it. We’re a family.”
So, at least officially, Kartal remains the coach of Fenerbahce.
The strange episode came after a fairly respectable result on the pitch. Roma took the lead through Bryan Cristante before Archie Brown equalized for the home side, while Nathan Aké hit the bar at the end as Fenerbahce pushed for a winner.
It was their first game back in the Champions League in 18 years, but expectations remain sky high and patience seems to be in short supply.
Kartal only returned in June, having managed the club in 2014/15, 2021/22 and 2023/24. He also spent a decade there as a player and was part of the coaching staff during two of Fenerbahce’s most recent Turkish title wins.
That storyline has done little to ease the pressure this season. Fenerbahce sit ninth in the Süper Lig after losing twice in their opening four matches, including last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to rivals Besiktas.
Yildirim says the matter is resolved. Whether Kartal agrees with him when Fenerbahce’s next game arrives is another matter.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)
