ISTANBUL — Domenico Tedesco could not conceal his disbelief when asked about potential resignation following Fenerbahçe’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Çaykur Rizespor, admitting the late equalizer left him stunned.
The Fenerbahçe head coach addressed reporters after the match, which saw his team surrender a lead in the 90th minute plus eight seconds of stoppage time. When questioned about whether the result might prompt thoughts of stepping down, Tedesco’s reaction was immediate and visible.
“I could not hide my surprise,” Tedesco said, according to NTVSpor. “What happened in the final moments was incredible.”
The Turkish Süper Lig fixture, played at Fenerbahçe’s home stadium, began with the hosts taking control. Tedesco noted his side executed a strong first half, only to fall behind after a second-half setback from Rizespor.
“We played a good first half,” he stated. “In the second half, after their second shot, we fell behind. We turned the score around, but what happened in the final moments was incredible.”
Tedesco emphasized the difficulty of the encounter, pointing to Rizespor’s recent form as a factor. The visitors had won five of their last seven matches, with their only loss in that span coming against Trabzonspor.
“Rizespor had five wins in their last seven games,” Tedesco explained. “One of the matches they lost was against Trabzonspor. We knew this game would be tough and competitive.”
Despite the late collapse, the coach praised his team’s resilience in recovering from the deficit. Whereas, the manner in which the equalizer was conceded — deep into added time — left a lasting impression.
The result prevented Fenerbahçe from extending their lead at the top of the Süper Lig table. With the draw, the club missed an opportunity to increase pressure on their rivals in the title race.
Looking ahead, Tedesco redirected focus to an upcoming cup fixture before the highly anticipated Istanbul derby against Galatasaray.
“Before the derby, we have a cup match,” he said. “That game is important for us. All our focus needs to be on that match. Derby games are always positive. I enjoy playing in these kinds of matches. We will be fully committed, just as we are in every game.”
He acknowledged the emotional toll of the dropped points, admitting the squad would need time to process the outcome.
“Today and tomorrow, we will feel empty because of today’s result,” Tedesco added.
The incident marks another chapter in Tedesco’s early tenure at Fenerbahçe, which began in September 2025 following José Mourinho’s departure. The Italian-German coach signed a two-year contract to lead the Süper Lig side.
Prior to joining Fenerbahçe, Tedesco served as head coach of the Belgium national team, guiding them through UEFA Euro 2024 qualification before departing in January 2025. His managerial career includes stints with Schalke 04, Spartak Moscow, RB Leipzig, and Erzgebirge Aue.
As Fenerbahçe prepares for their next challenges, Tedesco’s immediate priority is stabilizing the squad mentally and tactically. The cup match and derby represent critical junctures in shaping the remainder of their season.
For continued updates on Fenerbahçe’s preparations and Tedesco’s leadership, fans are encouraged to follow official club channels.
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