Sports · Football · 16 hrs ago
Dirk Kuyt takes interim charge of Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe appointed Dirk Kuyt as interim manager after İsmail Kartal left the Turkish club.
The change followed a 2-1 loss to fierce rivals Galatasaray, and Kuyt had been Kartal’s assistant.
Kuyt is expected to lead the team for three matches while Fenerbahçe looks for a permanent coach.
His first game is against Göztepe, followed by a Champions League match at home against Liverpool in Istanbul.
The Liverpool game reunites Kuyt with his former club, where he played for six years and scored 71 goals.
Fenerbahçe are fifth in the Turkish league and six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Results in the three matches could affect whether Kuyt stays through the season, and the club is expected to review its coaching decision during the international break.
Dirk Kuyt has taken interim charge of Fenerbahçe after Ismail Kartal stepped down.
Kuyt is expected to lead the team for three matches while the club seeks a permanent head coach.
His results could influence whether he remains in the role through the end of the season.
His first match is against Göztepe, followed by a Champions League game against his former club Liverpool.
Fenerbahçe are fifth in the Turkish league and six points behind leaders Galatasaray, according to the Independent and Daily Mail.
- Who
- Dirk Kuyt, Fenerbahçe’s former assistant manager, has taken interim charge.
- What
- He will lead the team while the club looks for a permanent head coach.
- When
- He was appointed on 28 October 2026.
- Where
- Fenerbahçe, in Turkey.
- Why
- Ismail Kartal stepped down after Fenerbahçe lost to Galatasaray.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fenerbahçe lost 2-1 to Galatasaray in a league match.
Ismail Kartal resigned as Fenerbahçe head coach.
Fenerbahçe appointed Kuyt as interim manager.
Kuyt is due to lead Fenerbahçe against Göztepe in his first match.
Fenerbahçe are due to host Liverpool in the Champions League.
- Interim manager
- Dirk Kuyt
- Previous head coach
- Ismail Kartal
- Initial spell
- Three matches
- First match
- Göztepe
- Champions League opponent
- Liverpool
- League position
- Fifth, six points behind Galatasaray
4 sources
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What people are saying
The basic idea is to appoint a new head coach later. But you know how things work. If Dirk does well in the coming matches, it could also be considered for him to finish the season.
Yes, Fenerbahçe know Dirk’s ambitions. But first, these three matches. After that, we will assess things again.