Fenerbahçe Istanbul dismissed manager İsmail Kartal following a 1–2 derby defeat to rival Galatasaray, leaving the Süper Lig club in fifth place with 16 points after nine matches. The club’s leadership, led by president Aziz Yıldırım, moved quickly to relieve the coach of his duties as a search for a permanent successor began alongside interim arrangements.

Fenerbahçe Istanbul parts ways with İsmail Kartal after derby defeat

The departure brings a swift end to Kartal’s fourth stint at the helm of the Turkish giants. The 65-year-old manager tendered his resignation following talks with Yıldırım and board member Cihan Kamer, coming less than 24 hours after the loss to Galatasaray on Monday. Club officials formally accepted the decision in mutual agreement, closing a tenure that had already seen turbulence when Kartal offered to resign in September following a Champions League draw against Roma, though the board rejected that initial attempt. Kartal had taken over the club in the summer. Previously, he had already worked as coach of the Turkish top club in 2014/2015, 2022 and 2023/2024. Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yildirim had contradicted his coach back in September and announced that the 65-year-old should continue.

With the domestic defeat, Fenerbahçe slipped six points behind league leaders Galatasaray after nine rounds of matches. The club announced that the parting took place in a spirit of mutual respect, but the sporting pressure on the Istanbul side proved immediate as squad preparations for upcoming fixtures got underway.

Dirk Kuyt takes interim charge for three upcoming fixtures

Former Netherlands international Dirk Kuyt stepped into the technical area on a temporary basis, taking over training duties immediately following Kartal’s exit. The 46-year-old former forward previously served as a member of Kartal’s coaching staff. Kuyt is a 104-maliger Nationalspieler von „Oranje“. Kuyt’s management confirmed that he is scheduled to manage the team for the next three matches, including an upcoming Champions League fixture against Liverpool—where Kuyt enjoyed a playing career from 2006 to 2012 before a subsequent three-year spell at Fenerbahçe. As a coach, Kuyt still has no great experience to show. According to a report by Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, Dirk Kuyt will supervise the team on an interim basis until a successor is found. According to the Turkish sports journalist, the majority of the Fenerbahce board of directors is said to be in favor of a foreign solution.”

Alongside Kuyt’s temporary promotion, Turkish media outlets outlined a crowded field of candidates for the permanent vacancy. Names circulated by sports publications include former national team manager Vincenzo Montella, experienced Spanish coach José Luis Mendilibar, and domestic candidates such as Aykut Kocaman, Abdullah Avcı, and Kasımpaşa manager Emre Belözoğlu.

Julian Nagelsmann and international candidates on the shortlist

Among the high-profile names linked to the vacancy, Germany national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann emerged as a primary target on the club’s wish list. However, structural and financial complexities face any potential high-profile international appointment, particularly given that Fenerbahçe is scheduled to hold club presidential elections in seven months.

Additional reports connected Swiss manager Mattia Croci-Torti, currently leading FC Lugano in the Swiss Super League, to the Istanbul club’s wider consideration list alongside Antonio Conte. Croci-Torti remains under contract with Lugano through June 2028, and no formal negotiations have been confirmed between the Swiss coach and Fenerbahçe. According to reports from Turkey, Croci-Torti is considered one of the most serious alternatives to Vincenzo Montella. At Fenerbahce, some top stars are under contract – including Romelu Lukaku, N’Golo Kanté or Marco Asensio.

Next fixtures on the horizon

Dirk Kuyt prepares the squad for an immediate fixture load, starting with league action against Göztepe, followed by the European clash against Liverpool and a subsequent domestic fixture against Çorum.