Arabic version: كارتال يستقيل بعد تعادل فنربخشة مع روما

According to BBC News, Ismail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahce head coach minutes after the Turkish club drew 1-1 with Roma in the Champions League. Kartal announced his decision at his post-match news conference, saying he intended never to return to the club he had also served as a player and assistant coach.

The 65-year-old returned for a fourth spell as manager in June 2026, when Fenerbahce were back in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. He leaves after one match in the competition, while the club sit ninth in the Turkish Super Lig following two wins and two defeats.

Kartal said he had made the decision to “pave the way” for Fenerbahce and had taken it together with the team. However, club president Aziz Yildirim said Kartal remained in charge. Yildirim said he spoke to the coach after the news conference and that pressure of the role, as well as an incident in which Kartal was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands during the match, had contributed to his decision.

Fenerbahce said the spectator involved in the bottle incident had been identified and banned from the stadium. Yildirim criticised constant criticism from supporters and the media, calling for greater respect for Kartal. On the pitch, Archie Brown’s 48th-minute equaliser cancelled Bryan Cristante’s first-half goal for Roma. Brown said he had not known about Kartal’s announcement when told in a post-match interview.