Despite his abrupt resignation, Ismail Kartal is apparently still the coach of Fenerbahçe.
The Turkish club's president, Aziz Yildirim, said that the manager still has the reins after Kartal, 65, suddenly told the media that he was leaving his position in his press conference after Fenerbahçe's 1-1 draw against AS Roma in their first match of the Champions League. After the announcement, Yildirim told reporters in Turkish that "none of us knew about the resignation decision."
"Ismail Kartal remains in charge," he said on Thursday, Sept. 10, per Turkey's government-sponsored news outlet Anadolu Ajansı. "But the entire Fenerbahçe community should stand behind the coach."
He added, “As long as I am here, Ismail Kartal is the head coach. He cannot
leave until I leave.”
The team alsoposted a press release with Yildirim's comments in Turkish on its website.
Kartal has been part of the coaching staff of Fenerbahçe on and off since 1996 and first held the role of manager in 2014.
"As of this evening, I would like to congratulate my players and announce my resignation from my post," he said in Turkish, per AA.
"I have resigned from my post whilst there is still time to assist my beloved Fenerbahçe, my players and future managers. I wish everyone a good evening, on the understanding that I shall never return."
Yildirim said that an incident where someone threw a water bottle at the coach's head after the match contributed to his head-turning announcement.
Archie Brown reacts to Fenerbahçe manager's head-turning news
Fenerbahçe left back Archie Brown, who scored the club's lone goal in the draw, wasinformed of the coach's resignation during his own post-match interview. A team employee stood next to him and relayed the news.
"What do you mean he resigned?" Brown said after turning his head to look at the messenger in shock. The employee reiterated the information. "What do you mean he resigned? .... As what? As coach?"
🚨🏴 This is the moment Fenerbahçe player Archie Brown was told that Ismail Kartal resigned from his position as coach! 🎙️
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 10, 2026
"What do you mean he resigned? What? As coach? I didn't know about this." 😳 pic.twitter.com/Iq8hZO7pDE
Fenerbahçe is ninth in the Süper Lig table with a 2-0-2 record. They are playing in the Champions League for the first time in nearly two decades. Their last appearance in the tournament was the 2008-09 season.
This summer, theclub signed Belgium's all-time leading scorer, Romelu Lukaku. In the World Cup, he ousted the United Stateswith a goal in the round of 16 and then lost to eventual champion Spain in the quarterfinals.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fenerbahçe president says coach remains in charge even after resignation
