Sensational: Kartal resigns from Fenerbahçe after draw with Roma
Sensational in Istanbul: Ismail Kartal announced his resignation as Fenerbahçe manager immediately after the 1-1 draw against AS Roma, stating that he is leaving the role for the good of the club and the team in a press conference without further explanation.
“I am stepping down from my duties. I do not want questions, I resign for the good of the club and the team,” Kartal said to the journalists, then left the press room without providing further clarification.
Arriving in June, Kartal led the club for just three months, during which he oversaw 11 matches.
Return to the Champions League after eighteen years
Despite the brief tenure, he took Fenerbahçe into the Champions League group stage, the first qualification in 18 years.
His work, however, was criticised for the start of the league: two wins and two losses, including a defeat in the derby against Besiktas.
Experience and previous appointments
At 65, Kartal is a historic figure at Fenerbahçe, having managed the team in three previous spells (2014‑2015, January‑June 2022, 2023‑2024) and having eliminated OL in the preliminary rounds.
The French statement reported: «contre l'AS Rome en Ligue des champions», keeping the word En present in the original sentence.
The news implies that Romelu Lukaku, Fenerbahçe striker, will now have to rely on a new coach.