Fenerbahçe's İsmail Kartal resigns as head coach

İsmail Kartal, who began the season at Fenerbahçe with championship ambitions, has stepped down from his role as head coach in a surprising turn of events. After suffering two defeats in the club's opening four Süper Lig fixtures, his position had become a hot topic of discussion in recent days.

The experienced manager's resignation came right after Fenerbahçe's 1-1 draw against Roma in the opening matchday of the Champions League league phase. That European fixture turned out to be Kartal's final match in charge of the club.

Announcing his departure, Kartal made clear that his decision was aimed at giving the club a fresh path forward. 'I have left my post. I made this decision to clear the way for my club. The team and I reached this decision together,' he said.

He also stressed his intention to continue supporting Fenerbahçe, its players and future coaches from outside the dugout. 'From now on, I am resigning in order to help my Fenerbahçe, my players and the coaches to come, while there is still time - on the condition that I never return,' Kartal stated. The move signals the start of a new chapter for the Istanbul giants.