Ismail Kartal steps down saying "I can't handle it psychologically", Dirk Kuyt takes over Fenerbahçe

After losing the Galatasaray derby 2-1, Ismail Kartal was called to the club and explained his resignation decision to football director Oğuz Çetin with these words: "I can no longer handle this psychologically, I cannot motivate myself. I want to clear the path for the club."

Çetin arranged a meeting between Kartal and chairman Aziz Yıldırım. Yıldırım asked him to continue in his position; when Kartal refused to reconsider, his resignation was accepted. The club's official statement used the phrase "we have parted ways by mutual agreement."

Kartal recorded 5 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in 9 matches this season, leaving Fenerbahçe in 5th place. Over four separate periods, he recorded 95 wins, 27 draws, and 21 losses in 143 official matches.

It has been learned that Fenerbahçe management will temporarily entrust the team to Dirk Kuyt. Kuyt is expected to take charge first in the Göztepe and Liverpool matches; if a new coach does not arrive by the international break, he will continue through the Çorum and Kocaeli matches. Leading candidates for the new technical director position include Abdullah Avcı, Emre Belözoğlu, Volkan Demirel, and Vincenzo Montella.