Fenerbahce Istanbul is competing in the main draw of the UEFA Champions League this year for the first time since 2008/2009.
In their Champions League opener, the Turkish club even secured a 1-1 draw against a strong AS Roma side – yet head coach İsmail Kartal surprisingly announced his resignation at the subsequent press conference.
No Further Return Planned
Three months after taking office, the coach stated: "To clear the way for my club, we have made this decision together with our team. I am stepping down from my position without any intention of ever returning."
This was already the 65-year-old's third stint in June. He had previously been Fener's head coach from 2014 to 2015 and from 2022 to 2025.
Kartal had averaged 1.91 points in the eleven season matches so far. With the 1-1 draw against Roma, he also became the first Turkish coach in Fenerbahce's history to earn points in the Champions League.
