Fenerbahce president refuses Kartal resignation after Roma draw

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has refused to accept Ismail Kartal's resignation after the head coach announced he was stepping down following a 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma. BBC Sport reported that Kartal made his announcement at the post-match news conference, only for Yildirim to insist publicly that he remained the club's manager.

Kartal, 65, returned in June 2026 for his fourth spell in charge of Fenerbahce. He told reporters he was resigning to help the club, its players and future coaches, and said he did not intend to come back. He also spoke positively about the work done during his three months in the role, including training sessions, preparation camps and the president's contribution.

Yildirim subsequently said he had spoken with Kartal after the news conference. According to BBC Sport's account, the coach identified the pressure attached to the job and an incident in which a bottle thrown from the stands struck him during the match as factors behind his decision. Fenerbahce said in a social media post that the spectator involved had been identified and banned from the stadium.

In a statement on the club's website, reported by the BBC, Yildirim rejected the resignation and called on supporters to back Kartal. The president criticised both fans and the media over the pressure created by repeated criticism, urging greater respect for the coach. His insistence that Kartal would continue contrasted directly with the manager's stated intention to leave, leaving conflicting public positions over who was in charge.

The announcement also surprised defender Archie Brown, who learned of it during a post-match interview. Brown had scored Fenerbahce's equaliser in the 48th minute after Bryan Cristante put Roma ahead in the first half. The draw was Fenerbahce's opening match on their return to the Champions League after an 18-year absence. Domestically, the team were ninth in the Turkish Super Lig with two wins and two defeats.

Kartal's association with Fenerbahce extends beyond his four managerial spells. He previously worked as an assistant coach for four years and won the Turkish Super Cup during his first stint as manager in 2014. As a player, he made more than 250 appearances for the club and collected six trophies, including two league titles.