Dirk Kuyt has left Fenerbahce following a two-week spell as their interim head coach, which included a Champions League victory over his former club Liverpool.

Kuyt took over the Istanbul giants on a temporary basis following Ismail Kartal's resignation in October, and just a few days later, he was reunited with the Reds.

The Dutchman, who made 285 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool, scoring 71 goals as well as providing 34 assists, masterminded a 3-2 victory over them in Turkiye, with Fener twice coming from behind to end the Reds' unbeaten start to the 2026-27 Champions League.

But now, Kuyt has stepped aside for Emre Belozoglu, a former Fener midfielder who has had spells in charge of Istanbul Basaksehir, Ankaragucu, Antalyaspor and Kasimpasa since moving into coaching, to take the job.

"Our yellow-and-navy story began years ago, and the bond between us has never been broken. You were with us on the pitch first, then in the dugout," read a social media post from Fener's official accounts, addressing Kuyt's departure.

Teşekkürler Dirk Kuyt! Sarı Lacivert hikayemiz yıllar önce başladı ve aramızdaki bağ hiç kopmadı. Önce sahada, sonra kulübede bizimleydin. Çubuklu’ya duyduğun sevgi ve bağlılığınla hepimizin kalbinde özel bir yer edindin. Bu renklere kattığın her şey için sana gönülden teşekkür ediyoruz. Bugün sana veda ediyoruz ancak bu büyük ailedeki yerin hiç değişmeyecek. Çünkü bazı vedalar ayrılık değil, sonsuz bir bağın ifadesidir. Yolun açık olsun Dirk! 

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) November 11, 2026

"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 colours. 

"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."

Fener thumped Corum 5-0 in Kuyt's final match in charge in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday, but they sit a lowly sixth in the table after 11 games, nine points behind leaders Galatasaray.