The İsmail Kartal crisis at Fenerbahçe: still in charge after resigning
İsmail Kartal, who announced his resignation after the 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma, remains in post following the board's intervention. Fenerbahçe are preparing for the trip to Gaziantep FK under Kartal.
Fenerbahçe head coach İsmail Kartal announced his resignation at the press conference following the 1-1 draw with Roma in the first week of the UEFA Champions League league phase on 10 September 2026.
In his statement Kartal said he had been in charge at Fenerbahçe for three months, that the training and camps with his players and the support of the president and the board had been positive, and that he had taken the decision to clear the way for the club.
Kartal did not take training on 11 September following the resignation, and it was reported that sporting director Oğuz Çetin wanted to speak with him. The club later announced that Kartal remained in post and would take charge of preparations for the Gaziantep FK match.
In comments carried by the press it was suggested that Kartal had struggled with squad planning after the departures of Fred and Talisca, and that he had not received the backing he expected from the board in the face of criticism from former players. Former head coach Ersun Yanal criticised the resignation in strong terms.
FutbolRadar's assessment: Fenerbahçe travel to Gaziantep FK on Monday 14 September in matchweek 5. Uncertainty over Kartal's future could resurface depending on the result of that match.