İsmail Kartal resigns, Aziz Yıldırım says he will continue in his role

İsmail Kartal announces resignation, Aziz Yıldırım says he will stay on

İsmail Kartal announced his resignation at a news conference following Fenerbahçe’s 1-1 draw with Roma in the UEFA Champions League. Aziz Yıldırım said he had spoken with Kartal and that the experienced coach would continue in his role.

Scraper SystemSeptember 11, 2026, 11:13 AM

İsmail Kartal announces resignation, Aziz Yıldırım says he will stay on

Fenerbahçe drew 1-1 with Italian side Roma at home in the opening week of the UEFA Champions League. At the news conference held after the match at Chobani Stadium, İsmail Kartal said his players had fulfilled the tasks he had asked of them and that the team had played football worthy of the Champions League.

Kartal said they had created clear chances during the match and that he was proud of his players. Kartal, who did not take questions, said he had been in charge of the team for approximately three months and announced his resignation.

Kartal said his decision was intended to clear the way for the club. He said the president and the directors had supported them during the training sessions and camps held since the start of the season. Kartal thanked his players and said he was leaving his post for good.

Yıldırım: İsmail Kartal is still in charge

Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım addressed Kartal’s resignation in a statement at Chobani Stadium after the match. Yıldırım said they had seen Kartal come under intense pressure and that a water bottle had been thrown at his head during the match.

Yıldırım said the team had played well and earned one point, describing Fenerbahçe’s return to the UEFA Champions League after 18 years as a success. Arguing that criticism should be based on accurate data, Yıldırım urged supporters to stand up for the club’s values.

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Yıldırım said he spoke with Kartal after his resignation and that the experienced coach told him he had taken medication because of the pressure. Yıldırım said they had not expected Kartal to resign and stated that Kartal was still in charge and would continue in his role.

The Fenerbahçe President argued that criticism on social media had increased the pressure on the coach. Yıldırım said people who comment on television programs should not drive people away from the club, adding that criticism was acceptable but inaccurate information should not be shared.

İsmail Kartal announces resignation, Aziz Yıldırım says he will stay on