Lukaku gets new coach at Fenerbahçe, Kuyt leaves abruptly

Romelu Lukaku gets a new manager again at Fenerbahçe: the Turkish top club has appointed Emre Belözoğlu as head coach, which ends Dirk Kuyt's short interim immediately, after only one match. The decision came unexpectedly and changes the situation for the Red Devil.

Kuyt took over temporarily last week after İsmail Kartal stepped down following the defeat to Galatasaray. The former Beerschot coach then was at the helm against Göztepe, but saw Fenerbahçe lose 1-2.

Now he has to step aside again. Fenerbahçe confirmed on Tuesday evening that an agreement had been reached with Belözoğlu.

Background of the new coach

The 46-year-old Turk arrives from Kasımpaşa, with which he had started the season strongly. Belözoğlu knows Fenerbahçe inside out; as a player he wore the club's shirt during three different periods and won six trophies there.

Later he was also sporting director there and in 2021 he briefly headed the first team. During that first spell as coach Belözoğlu recorded seven wins in ten matches.

Subsequently he worked, among others, at Istanbul Başakşehir, Ankaragücü, Antalyaspor and Kasımpaşa. For Lukaku the appointment means yet another change on the bench.

The Red Devil experienced the transition from Kartal to Kuyt in recent weeks and now gets Belözoğlu as the definitive new head coach. The latter will not have much time to settle in.

Fenerbahçe host Liverpool on Wednesday evening in the Champions League and Belözoğlu will immediately take charge against the English top club. For Kuyt his temporary assignment therefore ends sooner than initially expected. Fenerbahçe had previously indicated that he would normally stay until the international break, but the arrival of Belözoğlu speeds up the change on the bench.