Fenerbahçe ends collaboration with Dirk Kuyt with immediate effect

Dirk Kuyt, the 46‑year‑old Katwijker, leaves Fenerbahçe with immediate effect and will no longer be part of the staff of new head coach Emre Belözoglu. The club announced Wednesday morning that the former the Oranje international is departing immediately, after a season in which he was active as an assistant coach and briefly as interim coach.

Kuyt arrived last summer from FC Dordrecht to Fenerbahçe to become an assistant coach, after having previously played for the Istanbul club from 2012 to 2015. During that period he helped the team win the Süper Lig title in 2014, the club's most recent domestic league title to date.

After the dismissal of coach Ismail Kartal, Kuyt took charge of two matches as interim coach, starting with a 1‑2 defeat to Göztepe. His interim spell ended with a 3‑2 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League, the first European win since April 2008.

League position and new coach

Fenerbahçe currently sit sixth in the Süper Lig with 19 points, nine behind league leaders Galatasaray. Emre Belözoglu delivered his first match as head coach on Sunday and secured a 0‑5 victory over Çorum FK.

The club thanked Kuyt on social media with a series of praising messages about his commitment to the yellow‑blue shirt. Kuyt wrote on Instagram that his journey with Fenerbahçe is coming to an end for now, that he found the past months intense and special, and he thanks the club for everything. He emphasized that the Champions League victory over Liverpool was an unforgettable experience, understands Belözoglu's decision to assemble his own staff, and wishes the club much success, without saying goodbye.