Fenerbahçe President Refuses Coach Kartal's Resignation After Roma Draw
İsmail Kartal remains as Fenerbahçe head coach after his resignation was rejected by club president Aziz Yıldırım.
By Isabel Navarro · First published 10 Sept 2026
In brief
- İsmail Kartal announced his resignation as Fenerbahçe head coach following the 1-1 draw with AS Roma in the Champions League.
- Club president Aziz Yıldırım publicly refused to accept Kartal's resignation and insisted that he will continue in his role.
- The resignation announcement came immediately after the match, with Kartal declining to answer questions from reporters.
- Kartal was struck by a water bottle thrown from the stands during the match, adding to tensions around the decision.
- Fenerbahçe has not named a replacement coach, and Kartal remains in charge as of the latest statements from club leadership.
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 ↗Update 11 Sept 2026, 5:51 am UTC
Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yıldırım has refused to accept İsmail Kartal's resignation, stating that Kartal will remain as head coach. Kartal initially announced his resignation after the 1-1 draw with Roma, but he is staying in his position for now.
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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