Fenerbahçe agree Emre Belözoğlu deal; Kasımpaşa approves, signatures tonight

Fenerbahçe, which began searching for a head coach after İsmail Kartal's resignation, have agreed a deal with Kasımpaşa coach Emre Belözoğlu after parting ways with Sergio Conceição. Official signatures with the 46-year-old coach, whom Kasımpaşa allowed to meet with Fenerbahçe, are expected after this evening's meeting.

Fenerbahçe have turned to Emre Belözoğlu in their search for a head coach. HT Spor reported that official signatures between the club and the 46-year-old Kasımpaşa coach are expected after a meeting this evening. NTV Spor reported that Kasımpaşa had approved Fenerbahçe's request to meet with Belözoğlu, while media reports also said Fenerbahçe would not pay Kasımpaşa a transfer fee. A Spor reported that the official announcement is expected tomorrow.

İsmail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahçe coach after the derby against Galatasaray, and it was announced that Dirk Kuyt would take charge of the team in the matches to be played until the international break. If the deal is signed, Belözoğlu is expected to be on the bench for the Liverpool match.

Kasımpaşa Technical Director Emre Belözoğlu on the touchline

Conceição's "extra demands" changed the course of negotiations

The club's first choice was Portugal's Sergio Conceição. Talks had progressed, and the 51-year-old coach was expected to come to Istanbul. However, A Spor reporter Erdem Akbaş said no agreement was reached with the Portuguese coach after he made extra demands and refused to reduce his annual fee below a certain figure. The report said that three or four senior figures in the Fenerbahçe administration had made intensive efforts to bring Belözoğlu to the club and that the parties had reached an agreement. Former footballer Rıdvan Dilmen also announced on social media that Belözoğlu was Fenerbahçe's new head coach.

Belözoğlu's second stint

Belözoğlu, who spent many years wearing the Fenerbahçe shirt and served as captain during his playing career, is returning to the club for a second time as head coach. Belözoğlu had his first coaching experience at Fenerbahçe in 2021, recording seven wins, two draws and one defeat in 10 matches. The experienced coach then managed Başakşehir from October 2021 to September 2023 and was in charge of Kasımpaşa in the Trendyol Süper Lig this season.

Fenerbahçe have not yet made an official statement on the matter.

Photos: NTV Spor, Fotomaç (archive)

Fenerbahçe agree Emre Belözoğlu deal; Kasımpaşa approves, signatures tonight