Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation following a Champions League draw against Roma on September 10, 2026, after a spectator struck his head with a water bottle. Club president Aziz Yildirim swiftly rejected the decision, insisting the 65-year-old manager remains in charge.
A Champions League evening that began with tactical optimism in Istanbul dissolved into chaos when Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal announced his sudden resignation minutes after a 1-1 draw against AS Roma. The 65-year-old manager stunned the post-match press conference on Thursday by declaring he was stepping down never to return in an effort to clear the path for the club.
That dramatic exit, however, lasted only moments before club president Aziz Yildirim intervened to override his manager. Yildirim made it clear to reporters covering the fixture that Kartal’s departure was dead on arrival, asserting absolute authority over the Turkish Super Lig side’s technical area. Minutes after the press conference, Yildirim told reporters that Kartal continues in his role
with the Turkish side.
Fenerbahce coach Kartal’s resignation refused as bottle thrown in
Water Bottle Incident and Press Conference Chaos
The catalyst for Kartal’s abrupt exit came directly from the stands during the match. During his side’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma on Thursday, a spectator threw a water bottle at his head. Kartal made the surprise announcement in his post-match news conference, stating he plans to never return to the club he previously served as a player and assistant coach. He came back to Fenerbahce for a fourth spell as manager in June 2026, with the club returning to the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Now he departs with the team sitting ninth in the Turkish Super Lig after two wins and two defeats, and after only one Champions League match.
Kartal shocked the post-match press conference by claiming he was leaving Fenerbahce never to return
. The 65-year-old added that he was taking the drastic decision to clear the way for the club
– but the Fenerbahce president, Aziz Yildirim, quickly moved to play down his manager’s remarks.
I have been here three months. From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps we held with the players, and the efforts of our president, have been very helpful. Those were wonderful days. As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position.
Fenerbahce boss announces shock resignation after Roma draw in
Kartal’s departure caught people inside the stadium off guard. Fenerbahce’s English left-back Archie Brown was stunned to learn that manager Ismail Kartal resigned after the Champions League clash with Roma. Kartal announced that he would be resigning from his post straight after a draw with Roma in the Champions League, in a move that absolutely nobody predicted. Speaking to reporters, Archie Brown said: What do you mean he resigned? As coach? He's not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn't know about this.
President Aziz Yildirim Rejects the Departure
President Aziz Yildirim wasted no time countering his manager’s public statement. Minutes after the press conference, Yildirim told reporters that Kartal continues in his role
with the Turkish side, stating that some fans threw a bottle at him.
Fenerbahce coach resigns after draw with Roma
Legal Action and Stadium Ban for the Offending Fan
Fenerbahçe Kulübü announced that the person who threw a bottle at technical director İsmail Kartal during the match against AS Roma has been found and that a spectator ban measure has been applied under Law No. 6222. In the statement made by the yellow-dark blue club, it was stated: During our match against AS Roma at our home ground in the Champions League, the identity of the person who carried out the act of throwing a bottle at our Technical Director İsmail Kartal was determined upon the instructions of the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and his statement was taken. A spectator ban measure has been applied to the person within the scope of Law No. 6222. We present it to the knowledge of the public. Fenerbahçe, Roma maçında teknik direktör İsmail Kartal’a su şişesi fırlatan taraftarın, tespit edilip ifadesinin alındığını ev men cezası aldığını açıkladı.
Despite the turmoil, Fenerbahce’s European and domestic campaigns continue following the 1-1 draw in the first week of the UEFA Champions League against the Italian team Roma.
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