Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal resigns after Champions League return ends in draw with Roma

Ismail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahce manager during his post-match press conference after a 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma, bringing an abrupt end to his fourth spell in charge of the Turkish giants. The result came in the club’s first Champions League group-stage appearance in 18 years, a milestone Kartal had helped engineer by guiding them through three qualifying rounds.

“As of this evening, I would like to congratulate my players and announce my resignation from my post,” Kartal told reporters. “I have taken this decision to pave the way for my club. I have resigned from my post while there is still time, to assist my beloved Fenerbahce, my players and future managers. I wish everyone a good evening, on the understanding that I shall never return.”

The resignation came hours after Kartal had made a key call on Mason Greenwood’s role in the side. Reports earlier in the week suggested he was considering deploying the Manchester United academy graduate as a second forward, with Marco Asensio carrying a fitness issue and Matteo Guendouzi suspended. Kartal ultimately kept Greenwood on the right wing, where the 24-year-old contributed an assist for the equaliser, scored by Archie Brown.

Kartal’s connection to Fenerbahce runs deep. He spent a decade as a player at the club, winning the league twice, before working in their academy for two years after retiring. He later returned as assistant coach, adding two more league titles and a pair of Turkish Cups to his record before eventually stepping up to the head coach role.

His managerial tenures have repeatedly followed a similar pattern: strong performances overshadowed by Galatasaray. In his most recent full season before this appointment, Kartal’s side accumulated 99 points — only to finish second as Galatasaray claimed 102. He departed that summer, only to be recalled again ahead of the current campaign.

Despite the historic Champions League qualification, Fenerbahce’s domestic form had already raised concerns, with defeats to Genclerbirligi in the league and Besiktas in cup competition preceding Wednesday’s European draw.