Ismail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahce head coach just minutes after the club's 1-1 draw with Roma in the UEFA Champions League, making the announcement in his post-match news conference and declaring his intention never to return to the club.

The 65-year-old confirmed he made the decision voluntarily, saying the move was intended to "pave the way" for the club. Kartal had returned to Fenerbahce for a fourth stint as manager in June 2026 — the club's first Champions League campaign in 18 years — but departs with the side sitting ninth in the Turkish Super Lig after two wins and two defeats.

"I have been here three months," Kartal said. "From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps we held with the players, and the efforts of our president, have been very helpful. Those were wonderful days."

"As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position. I made this decision to pave the way for my club. From now on, to help Fenerbahce, my players and future coaches, I have resigned from my position, with the intention of never returning."

President refuses to accept resignation

Club president Aziz Yildirim swiftly rejected the decision, releasing a statement on Fenerbahce's official website insisting Kartal remains in charge. "Ismail Kartal is still in charge. The club should support our coach. Until I leave, Ismail Kartal is the head coach of Fenerbahce," Yildirim said.

Yildirim confirmed he spoke to Kartal after the news conference. He revealed that the coach cited the mounting "pressure" of his role and a mid-match incident — in which Kartal was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands — as the primary reasons behind his decision. The club subsequently announced on social media that the spectator responsible for throwing the bottle had been identified and banned from the stadium.

Yildirim directed sharp criticism at the club's supporters and the media, attributing the pressure to persistent public criticism. He called on both parties to "uphold the values of the Fenerbahce community" and show greater respect toward the coach. "This community should support Ismail Kartal. You can't show support by throwing punches at him like this. Ismail Kartal doesn't need to say he'll continue. I am his senior. I said he'll continue, and that's it. We're a family," Yildirim added.

Players left stunned

The announcement caught Fenerbahce's players off guard. English defender Archie Brown, who had scored the 48th-minute equaliser that cancelled out Bryan Cristante's first-half opener for Roma, was visibly shocked when informed of Kartal's decision in a post-match interview.

"What do you mean he resigned? As coach? He's not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn't know about this," Brown said.

Kartal has deep roots at Fenerbahce, having served the club as a player — winning two league titles among six trophies — and later as an assistant coach for four years before taking charge as manager. His first managerial spell produced the Turkish Super Cup in 2014.