Fenerbahce's Kartal resigns mid-press conference after Champions League draw, leaving stunned Brown in the dark

Ismail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahce head coach during his post-match press conference on Wednesday, moments after his side drew 1-1 with AS Roma in their Champions League opener — leaving players, including England youth international Archie Brown, completely blindsided.

Brown, 24, had just opened the scoring at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium before Bryan Cristante equalised for the Serie A side. As Brown conducted his post-match mixed zone interview, a club media assistant interrupted to deliver the news that Kartal had already announced his departure.

“Why do you mean he resigned? As what? As coach? What do you mean by resigned? He’s not the coach anymore — I didn’t know about this,” Brown said, visibly confused.

Kartal, 65, made the announcement in characteristically blunt fashion. “I am resigning from my position while there is still time,” he told reporters. “I am resigning with the understanding that I will never return.” He added that the decision was made collectively and was intended to “pave the way” for the club.

The timing was striking. Kartal had only been appointed in June — his third stint at the helm since 2022 and his fourth overall spell in charge of the Istanbul club, where he also spent a decade as a player. Despite that long association, he was emphatic that this was a permanent farewell.

“I have been here for three months,” Kartal said. “From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps I conducted with my players — our president and managers tried to help us in every way. Those were wonderful days.”

Fenerbahce now face the immediate challenge of finding a new head coach at the start of a Champions League campaign, with the draw against Roma leaving them in need of a strong run in the competition’s new league-phase format.