Ismail Kartal remains head coach of Fenerbahce despite announcing his resignation in the immediate aftermath of Thursday's Champions League draw at home to Roma.

The 65-year-old declared after the 1-1 result that he never intended to return to the club — one he has served as both a player and assistant coach across his career. The announcement came moments after the final whistle.

However, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim swiftly moved to block the departure, stating on the club's official website that he had refused to accept Kartal's resignation. The club followed up with a second statement on Friday confirming Kartal remained in his post.

That statement made the situation clear: "Our team will continue its preparations for the Gaziantep FK match with the training session to be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 11:30 under the direction of our technical director Ismail Kartal."

Pressure and a bottle from the stands

Yildirim revealed he held a personal conversation with Kartal following the post-match press conference. During that exchange, Kartal cited the mounting pressure of the role as one reason for his decision — and a mid-match incident in which a bottle was thrown at him from the stands as another.

The club later confirmed on social media that the spectator responsible for the bottle incident had been identified and banned from the stadium.

Yildirim was unequivocal in his response: "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."

A tough start in the Champions League

Kartal took charge for a fourth spell as head coach in June, as Fenerbahce returned to the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Their campaign began with the 1-1 draw against Roma.

In the Turkish Super Lig, the side are ninth with six points from four matches ahead of Monday's home game against Gaziantep FK. Their next Champions League group-phase fixture takes them to Aston Villa on 14 October.