Fenerbahçe Coach İsmail Kartal Resigns After 1-1 Draw With Roma
İsmail Kartal shocked Fenerbahçe by resigning as head coach immediately after a Champions League draw with Roma, leaving the team and fans uncertain about the club's direction.
By Isabel Navarro · First published 10 Sept 2026
In brief
- İsmail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahçe's head coach just minutes after a 1-1 draw with AS Roma.
- Kartal announced his decision in a press conference and declined to take questions from reporters.
- The resignation came during the first matchday of the Champions League group stage in Istanbul.
- Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yıldırım said the club was not informed ahead of Kartal's announcement and initially rejected his resignation.
- It remains unclear if Kartal's resignation will be accepted, and the club has not yet named a replacement.
Timeline · 4 moments
Fenerbahçe draws 1-1 with Roma in Champions League
Adnkronos - ultimoratop ↗İsmail Kartal announces resignation in press conference
Fanpage ↗Club president says resignation was unexpected
BirGün ↗President Yıldırım publicly rejects Kartal's resignation
Diken ↗How it started
Fenerbahçe hosted AS Roma in Istanbul on September 10, 2026, for the opening match of the Champions League group stage. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that left both teams with a single point. Expectations were high for Fenerbahçe as they looked to make a strong start in Europe this season.
İsmail Kartal, who had been leading the team, was under scrutiny after recent performances. The draw against Roma was seen as a crucial test for both the squad and their coach.
How it unfolded
Immediately after the final whistle, Kartal shocked the media by announcing his resignation at the post-match press conference. He told reporters he was stepping down to help the team and refused to take any questions, ending the conference abruptly, according to Fanpage.
The announcement took the club by surprise. Fenerbahçe's president, Aziz Yıldırım, stated that he and the board had no prior knowledge of Kartal's decision, as reported by BirGün. In a separate statement, Yıldırım insisted that Kartal remained the head coach and could not leave unless Yıldırım himself stepped down, Diken reported.
According to The42, Kartal had also been targeted by a bottle thrown from the crowd during the match, adding to the tense atmosphere surrounding the evening. The incident may have contributed to his decision to resign so abruptly.
Where it stands
As of now, İsmail Kartal's resignation has not been formally accepted by the club. Fenerbahçe's leadership appears divided, with the president publicly stating Kartal is still in charge.
The team is left in a state of uncertainty, with no clear successor named and questions about how the club will move forward in both domestic and European competitions.
What to watch
The main question is whether Fenerbahçe will accept Kartal's resignation or persuade him to stay. Fans and analysts are also watching to see who will be appointed as the next head coach if Kartal does leave. The club's response in the coming days will be crucial for maintaining stability during a critical part of the season.
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