According to The Sun on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Dirk Kuyt has left his role as Fenerbahce’s interim manager after leading the Turkish side to a dramatic 3–2 Champions League win over his former club, Liverpool.

The 46-year-old Dutchman took temporary charge last week after Ismail Kartal departed. His spell ended on Wednesday night, when Fenerbahce confirmed Emre Belozoglu as the club’s permanent head coach. Although Belozoglu had been announced on Tuesday, Kuyt remained in charge for the match against Liverpool.

Belozoglu, a former midfielder who made 227 appearances for Fenerbahce as a player, is expected to take over following Kuyt’s departure.

Kuyt’s final game proved memorable. Liverpool went ahead through Trey Nyoni in the 25th minute, but Mason Greenwood soon equalised. Alexander Isak put Liverpool back in front after the break, before Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi completed Fenerbahce’s comeback.

After the match, Kuyt called it a special night and commended his players for their determination and unity.

The Dutchman said he urged his players to stay united and maintain their self-belief, lessons he picked up during his time at Liverpool.

“We told one another to stick together and remain united, while continuing to believe in ourselves. I learned that at another club that means a great deal to me—Liverpool, the team we faced tonight,” he said.

Kuyt called the win another Istanbul miracle and said Fenerbahce had earned all three points against one of Europe’s top sides. He rejected the idea that luck had decided the match, highlighting the chances his team created and their determination to keep pressing until the final whistle.

Although his interim spell as manager has ended, Kuyt said he would gladly remain at Fenerbahce in another role. “If the club and Coach Emre want me to stay, I will. I love Fenerbahce and, of course, I want to continue here,” he said.

Kuyt joined Liverpool from Feyenoord in 2006 and spent six years at Anfield, making 285 appearances, scoring 71 goals and recording 40 assists. Beating Liverpool was especially meaningful given the club’s importance in his career.

He will now hand over managerial duties to Belozoglu, but his remarks indicate that he hopes to remain connected with the Turkish club.