Fenerbahçe (Turkey) has found itself in turmoil after returning to the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) group stage for the first time in 18 years. The club faced a spectator throwing a water bottle during a match, followed by the unexpected resignation of its head coach.
On Friday, Fenerbahçe’s head coach, İsmail Kartal, shocked everyone by announcing his resignation during a post-match press conference. This came after the 2026-27 UCL Phase 1 match against AS Roma (Italy) ended in a 1-1 draw at Istanbul’s Çobanlı Stadium.
In a surprising turn of events, Kartal, while praising his players’ performance, suddenly declared that he has decided to step down for the club’s benefit. This is a final decision; he won’t be coming back.
Kartal, who had only taken charge of Fenerbahçe for the fourth time in June, chose to resign after just three months at the helm.
The resignation appears to be triggered by a combination of factors, including the water bottle incident during the match and mounting pressure from the fanbase.
Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yıldırım revealed in a local media interview that Kartal had been under significant stress. The bottle-throwing incident during the game was apparently the final straw that led to his decision to step down.
Kartal’s return to Fenerbahçe this season had initially been met with high hopes from supporters. Back in May, fans had even displayed banners featuring his photo with the caption “Son of Fenerbahçe,” showcasing their enthusiasm for his comeback.
However, the honeymoon period was short-lived. Fenerbahçe’s rocky start to the season, with two losses in their first four league matches, quickly soured the mood. The recent defeat to arch-rivals Beşiktaş led to calls for Kartal’s dismissal from some sections of the fanbase.
The water bottle incident during the UCL match against Roma seems to have been the tipping point, pushing the already strained situation to its breaking point.
Despite the turmoil, President Yıldırım is standing firm. He stated that they’re not accepting Kartal’s resignation. He will continue to lead the team. As long as he’s here, Kartal remains Fenerbahçe’s coach.
The club has taken swift action regarding the bottle-throwing incident. Fenerbahçe officials announced that they’ve identified the individual responsible for throwing the bottle at Coach Kartal. This person has been banned from entering the stadium.