Fenerbahce boss stuns club by quitting after Roma draw

What the report says

İsmail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahce head coach only minutes after the Turkish club’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma, according to BBC Sport Football. The surprise announcement came in his post-match news conference, where he said he was stepping down to make way for the club and did not plan to return. Kartal had been back at Fenerbahce for a fourth spell as manager since June 2026, after the club returned to Europe’s top competition for the first time in 18 years.

The 65-year-old leaves Fenerbahce ninth in the Turkish Super Lig after two wins and two defeats, with just one Champions League match played. BBC Sport reported that club president Aziz Yildirim said the resignation had not been accepted and insisted Kartal remained in charge. Yildirim also said he had spoken to the coach after the match.

Kartal linked his decision to the pressure around the job and to an incident during the game in which he was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands. The club said the spectator involved had been identified and banned from the stadium. Yildirim also criticised the atmosphere created by constant criticism from supporters and media, urging more respect for Kartal.

The result itself saw Archie Brown equalise for Fenerbahce after Bryan Cristante had put Roma ahead. Brown later said he was unaware of Kartal’s resignation when asked about it after the match. Kartal has a long connection with Fenerbahce, having played more than 250 times for the club and previously won the Turkish Super Cup as manager.