Fenerbahce coach stuns players by resigning after Champions League draw

Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal stunned his players by announcing his resignation just minutes after the Turkish club’s 1-1 draw with Roma in the Champions League.

Kartal, 65, told a press conference that he was leaving “never to return” after overseeing Fenerbahce’s first Champions League match in 18 years on Thursday night.

The Istanbul side rescued a point against Roma thanks to English-born defender Archie Brown’s second-half goal, which cancelled out Bryan Cristante’s first-half opener.

Brown, 24, learned of Kartal’s resignation during a post-match interview and the stunned left-back had to seek clarification from Fenerbahce’s press officer.

“What do you mean he resigned? As what? As coach? What do you mean by resigned? He’s not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn’t know about this.”

To add to the confusion, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim told reporters that he would not be accepting Kartal’s resignation and said he “continues in his role”.

“Some fans threw ⁠a bottle at the coach’s head this evening during ​the ⁠game. He is upset ‌about it,” Yildirim said.

“I just spoke to Ismail Kartal. He mentioned the bottle incident and he also complained about being under pressure.”

Kartal, a former player and coach of Fenerbahce, returned for his fourth spell in charge in June. The team had started the Turkish Super Lig season with two wins and two defeats.

“As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position,” Kartal said. “I made this decision to pave the way for my club. We made this decision together as a team.

“From now on, to help Fenerbahce, my players and future coaches, I have resigned from my position, with the intention of never returning.”

Asked if ‌Kartal had told him that he would stay, Yildirim said: “There’s no need for him to say that he’d continue. I ⁠am his senior, I told him to continue and that’s it. We are a family.”