Fenerbahçe turmoil as Ismail Kartal resigns after Roma draw, president rejects exit | OneFootball

Fenerbahçe’s Champions League return descended into turmoil on Thursday night as Ismail Kartal announced his resignation after a 1-1 draw with AS Roma, only for president Aziz Yıldırım to reject it within minutes.

According to Turkish-Football.com, the 65-year-old, back for a fourth spell since June, told his post-match press conference at the Chobani Stadyumu FB Şükrü Saracoğlu that he was stepping down immediately, saying he would not return, and that he was acting in the club’s best interests.

The club hierarchy moved quickly to close ranks. Yıldırım said he would not accept the decision and linked the manager’s reaction to a bottle thrown from the stands that struck him on the head during the second half while the score was 1-1.

The president added that Kartal had been under intense pressure and insisted the coach would continue, stressing his authority and describing Fenerbahçe as a family.

The deadlock leaves the Istanbul side preparing for Trendyol Süper Lig duties alongside Champions League league phase fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool. Whether Kartal stays on the touchline or stands by his decision remains unresolved.

Source: Turkish-Football.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”