Dramatic development at Trabzonspor: Fatih Tekke's resignation not accepted

Trabzonspor lost the away leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie against Ferencváros 4-0. Having also lost the first leg 1-0 at home, the burgundy-and-blues went out 5-0 on aggregate and failed to reach the Europa League league phase.

Speaking at the press conference afterwards, head coach Fatih Tekke announced his resignation live on air: "I am resigning from a very honourable position. Today's defeat is not something that can be accepted. Misfortune and bad luck can all be accepted, but I cannot accept this. I could not sleep like this either. I ask everyone's forgiveness. We did everything we could." Tekke added that he had not yet conveyed the decision to the board and was announcing it for the first time at that moment, on television.

The Trabzonspor board did not accept the resignation. According to the club's statement, Tekke's decision was taken in the immediate emotional intensity created by the Ferencváros defeat; the board said it did not stand behind that decision. The club's statement said Fatih Tekke would continue as head coach.

According to Anadolu Agency, Tekke decided to remain in post after his resignation was not accepted and is expected to take charge of the team for the Süper Lig match against Amedspor.

Eliminated in the Europa League play-off round, Trabzonspor earned the right to compete in the UEFA Conference League. Entering the league-phase draw from pot 4 on club coefficient, the burgundy-and-blues will learn their opponents in Monaco at 15:00 Türkiye time on Friday 28 August; the full fixture list will be announced by UEFA no later than Sunday 30 August.

UPDATE (1 September 2026): the resignation the board turned down that day did not hold. After Trabzonspor lost 2-1 away to Amedspor in the Süper Lig, the club parted company with Fatih Tekke. For the full details of the departure, see the latest story.