Dirk Kuyt named Fenerbahçe assistant at his former club | OneFootball

Fenerbahçe have appointed former Netherlands international Dirk Kuyt as assistant coach, confirming his return to the Istanbul club on Wednesday.

Kuyt, who played for Fenerbahçe from 2012 to 2015, won the Turkish Cup in 2013 and the league in 2014. The club said in a statement that he earned the admiration of supporters for his professionalism, hard work and fighting spirit, and credited him with a key role in the 2014 title.

His club career included Liverpool from 2006 to 2012 and Feyenoord from 2003 to 2006 and from 2015 to 2017. He won 104 caps for the Netherlands and scored 20 goals.

Having retired in 2017, Kuyt has coached Feyenoord’s under-19s and teams in the Belgian and Dutch second tiers. At 45, this will be his first top-flight coaching post.

Kuyt will work under Ismail Kartal, a former Fenerbahçe player who has managed widely in Türkiye, including three spells in charge of the club.

Fenerbahçe finished second last season, three points behind rivals Galatasaray.

Source: L'Équipe