Fenerbahce Coach Resigns Following Roma Draw, President Reverses Decision

Last Updated:September 11, 2026, 2:46 PM IST

A chaotic night unfolded at Fenerbahce as Ismail Kartal declared he was stepping down ‘never to return’, but the club president insisted the veteran coach would remain in charge.

Ismail Kartal gives instructions from the side line during the Champions League opening phase game against Roma (Picture credit: AP)

Turkish side Fenerbahce’s coach Ismail Kartal announced that the UEFA Champions League match against Roma would be his last in the role, only to have his resignation rejected by the club president, as drama unfolded after the Turkish and Italian sides drew their game.

Kartal stunned reporters at the post-match press conference by announcing that he was leaving Fenerbahce ‘never to return’. He said that he was taking the drastic step ‘to clear the way for the club’, but Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim sought to downplay the manager’s remarks.

Minutes after the press conference, Yildirim told reporters that Kartal ‘continues in his role’ with the Turkish club. The Fenerbahce president added that the 65-year-old was upset after some fans threw a bottle at him during the game.

“I just spoke to Ismail Kartal. He mentioned the bottle incident and he also complained about being under pressure. There is no need for him ‌to say that he would continue,” Yilidrim said.

“I am his senior; I told him to continue and that is ​it. We are a family,” the president added.

Kartal spent a decade as a footballer at Fenerbahce before taking charge of the club in 2014-15. He returned as an interim manager in 2021-22 and then for a full campaign in 2023-24.

Kartal was also part of the coaching staff during the club’s previous two Turkish title triumphs and started his fourth managerial stint at Fenerbahçe in June.

Fenerbahçe have finished runners-up in the Turkish Super Lig in each of the past five seasons and reached the Champions League league phase for the first time in 18 years this season.

But Fenerbahçe sit ninth in the Turkish top flight after losing two of their opening four games, including Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Besiktas.

Roma broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Donyell Malen played the ball to Bryan Cristante, who beat Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson with a bouncing finish. The hosts drew level before the break after Mason Greenwood slipped a pass through to Archie Brown, who lifted his finish over Mile Svilar.

Quick Answers

Powered by

Ask News18

Why did Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal announce his resignation after the Roma match?

Ismail Kartal announced his resignation to “clear the way for the club” after facing intense pressure and having a bottle thrown at him by fans during the match. He stated at the post-match press conference that he was leaving Fenerbahce “never to return”.

How did Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim respond to Ismail Kartal’s resignation?

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim rejected the resignation and insisted that Kartal continues in his role. Yildirim downplayed the manager’s remarks, explaining that Kartal was upset about the bottle-throwing incident and the pressure he was under, but asserted his authority as Kartal’s senior to tell him to continue, stating “we are a family”.

What was the final score and who scored in the Fenerbahce vs Roma Champions League match?

The match ended in a draw. Roma opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Bryan Cristante scored off a pass from Donyell Malen, beating goalkeeper Ederson. Fenerbahce equalized before halftime when Archie Brown lifted a finish over Mile Svilar after receiving a pass from Mason Greenwood.

Powered by

Ask News18

Read More