Fenerbahce Confirm Ismail Kartal Will Stay After Roma Draw Resignation U-Turn
Fenerbahce have confirmed that Ismail Kartal will remain as first-team manager, ending uncertainty after his resignation announcement following Thursday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma.
Why Kartal’s continuation matters
The club moved to retain Kartal after an emotional night in which he said he would step down permanently, despite praising his players’ performance against Roma. Fenerbahce later issued a statement confirming he would stay, while the manager was pictured leading Saturday’s first-team training session.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manager | Ismail Kartal |
| Latest European result | Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma |
| Next match | Gaziantep FK, Monday night |
| Super Lig position | 11th of 18 teams |
Kartal’s initial decision came immediately after the Roma match. He said the team had followed his instructions and produced a display suited to Champions League football, adding that Fenerbahce had created opportunities to win the game.
“I am proud of my players,” Kartal said before declaring that he was resigning and thanking the squad.
President Aziz Yildirim intervened soon afterwards, insisting that Kartal would continue in the role. Yildirim said the coach had been left deeply upset after supporters threw a water bottle in his direction and after online abuse aimed at him.
“Ismail Kartal remains in his post,” Yildirim said. “I told him that he would carry on, and that settled it.”
The decision also dismisses suggestions that talks between Kartal and club official Oguz Cetin had failed to produce an agreement. Saturday’s training images offered the clearest immediate sign that the manager has resumed work with the squad.
Gaziantep fixture brings domestic pressure
Fenerbahce now return to Super Lig duty at home to Gaziantep FK on Monday. The club sit 11th in the 18-team division, leaving Kartal under pressure to deliver a result that can steady the atmosphere around the team.
Three points against Gaziantep would not erase the frustration surrounding recent events, but it would give Fenerbahce a needed chance to improve their league position and respond to supporters after a turbulent week.
