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Dirk Kuyt loses Fenerbahce job just days after beating Liverpool

Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt oversaw a dramatic 3-2 comeback win for Turkish giant Fenerbahce against the Reds in the Champions League seven days ago, but now finds himself without a job

Dirk Kuyt
Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has been officially released by Fenerbahce, seven days after leading the team to victory over the Reds in the Champions League

Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has been officially released by Fenerbahce just seven days after leading the Turkish club to a 3-2 comeback win against the Reds in the Champions League.

Kuyt, 46, stepped up as caretaker boss for the Yellow Canaries following head coach Ismail Kartal's resignation on October 28, with his first assignment being a home league match against Goztepe three days later, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.

Following the game, Fenerbahce's board reached an agreement with former club captain Emre Belozoglu to take over permanently, officially announcing his appointment on November 3, but Kuyt would remain on the touchline for one more game — the Champions League clash against his former club Liverpool the following night.

Despite finding his side 2-1 behind with less than 20 minutes of normal time remaining at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Kuyt managed to oversee a 3-2 comeback win to secure Fenerbahce's first win of its Champions League campaign.

Belozoglu officially took over the dugout for Fenerbahce's next match, a 5-0 away win against Corum FK on November 8, but Kuyt was nowhere to be seen, and it has now been revealed that he will not be part of Belozoglu's backroom staff moving forward.

Kuyt had stated that he was enjoying his time in Istanbul and was open to remaining on the coaching staff under the new regime, but that decision was ultimately taken out of his hands.

"Thank you, Dirk Kuyt! Our yellow-and-navy story began years ago, and the bond between us has never broken," an official club statement confirming Kuyt's departure on Wednesday read.

"You were with us on the pitch first, then in the dugout. Your love for Cubuklu and your loyalty earned you a special place in all our hearts. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have given to these colors.

"Today we say goodbye to you, but your place in this big family will never change. Because some goodbyes are not farewells, but expressions of an eternal bond. All the best, Dirk!"

It means Kuyt leaves Fenerbahce just five months after returning to Istanbul to join as assistant manager under head coach Kartal, and only seven days after leading the Super Lig side to a stunning victory over Liverpool.

Dirk Kuyt
Kuyt's final game as Fenerbahce's interim head coach was fittingly against Liverpool in the Champions League

Kuyt had previously played for Fenerbahce between 2012 and 2015, joining on a three-year deal from Liverpool after the Turkish outfit triggered a $1.1 million release clause in his contract.

The Dutchman went on to make 130 appearances in all competitions across three seasons for the Yellow Canaries, registering 37 goals and 28 assists, as he helped them win three trophies - the Turkish Cup in 2012-13, Super Lig in 2013-14, and the Turkish Super Cup in 2014.

The move to Turkey ended Kuyt's six-year spell on Merseyside, where he originally arrived from Feyenoord for $12 million in 2006 and went on to record 71 goals and 40 assists in 285 appearances.

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