Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal resigns after Roma draw – but president Aziz Yildirim tells him he will stay

Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation on Thursday minutes after his side drew 1-1 at home with Roma in the Champions League – but the club's president, Aziz Yildirim, immediately declared that the 65-year-old would stay in the job.

Kartal stunned the post-match press conference by claiming he was leaving Fenerbahce “never to return”, adding that he was taking the drastic decision “to clear the way for the club”. Within minutes, Yildirim moved to play down his manager's remarks, telling reporters that Kartal “continues in his role” with the Turkish side.

Bottle thrown at coach during Roma draw

The president offered a blunt explanation for his coach's sudden walkout, revealing that supporters had aimed a missile at the Fenerbahce bench during the European fixture.

“Some fans threw a bottle at the coach's head this evening during the game. He is upset about it,” Yildirim said. “I just spoke to Ismail Kartal. He mentioned the bottle incident and he also complained about being under pressure.”

Asked whether the manager had told him he would stay, the president was dismissive of the need for any formal confirmation. “There's no need for him to say that he'd continue. I am his senior, I told him to continue and that's it. We are a family,” Yildirim said.

A fourth managerial spell at Fenerbahce

Kartal, who spent a decade at Fenerbahce as a player, coached the club in 2014-15, then on an interim basis in 2021-22 before returning for a full campaign in 2023-24. He was the assistant manager at Fenerbahce the past two times the club won the Turkish title, and returned for a fourth managerial spell in June.

Results have been mixed. Fenerbahce have finished second in the Turkish Super Lig in each of the past five seasons, and reached the Champions League's league phase this season for the first time in 18 years. Domestically, the team sit ninth in the Turkish top-flight, having lost twice in their opening four games, including Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Besiktas.

Roma held in Champions League opener

The draw with Roma added to the sense of drift. Roma took the lead in the 39th minute when Donyell Malen rolled a pass to Bryan Cristante, who beat Fenerbahce keeper Ederson with a bouncing finish.

The hosts levelled before half-time when Mason Greenwood slipped a pass through to Archie Brown, who clipped a finish over Mile Svilar.

Roma were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute when Kerem Akturkoglu was penalised for a foul on Paulo Dybala, but a VAR check ruled that the challenge had taken place outside the area. Fenerbahce came closest to grabbing a winner late on when Nathan Aké headed against the Roma crossbar.

Uncertainty lingers over the touchline

Fenerbahce will travel to Aston Villa and host Liverpool in two of their remaining league phase games – and whether Kartal will be in charge or not remains to be seen, despite the president's insistence that the matter is closed.