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Fenerbahce Boss Kartal Quits Hours After Being Hit by Bottle Thrown From Stands

Friday, September 11, 2026

Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal shocked his own players on Thursday night when he announced he was resigning with immediate effect, just moments after being struck by a bottle thrown from the stands.

The 65 year old, who was in his fourth spell in charge of the club after returning in June, made the announcement in his post-match news conference following a 1-1 Champions League draw at home to Roma. He said he never plans to return to the club he once played and coached for.

"I Resign From My Position"

Kartal told reporters he had made the decision to help the club move forward, even after praising his time back at Fenerbahce.

"I have been here three months. From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps we held with the players, and the efforts of our president, have been very helpful. Those were wonderful days," he said.

"As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position.

"I made this decision to pave the way for my club. We made this decision together as a team.

"From now on, to help Fenerbahce, my players and future coaches, I have resigned from my position, with the intention of never returning."

He leaves the club ninth in the Turkish Super Lig after two wins and two defeats, and having managed just one Champions League match.

Players Caught Off Guard

Kartal's decision blindsided both club staff and his own squad. Archie Brown, who scored Fenerbahce's goal against Roma, said he had no idea it was coming.

The 24 year old, who has represented England at Under 20 level, said: "What do you mean he resigned? As coach? He's not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn't know about this."

Club President Refuses To Accept Resignation

President Aziz Yildirim has not accepted Kartal's decision to step down and says he is still the club's manager.

"Ismail Kartal is still in charge. The club should support our coach. Until I leave, Ismail Kartal is the coach of Fenerbahce," he said in a statement on the club website.

Yildirim took aim at fans and the media, saying the club's achievement of reaching the Champions League for the first time in 18 years should be celebrated rather than picked apart.

"We say Fenerbahce fans are crying, children are sad. Aren't the children happy now? They come to the matches wearing their jerseys, Fenerbahce fans come, everyone comes. But you've demonized this. You've tainted the success," he said.

"Fenerbahce fans should protect the values of their club, not just the players, coaches, and managers, but the values of the entire community. Those who comment on television are demonising things. They're driving people away from the club or forcing them to resign."

Bottle Incident And Pressure Cited As Reasons

Yildirim said he spoke to Kartal after the press conference, and the manager pointed to both the bottle thrown at him and the pressure of the job as reasons for wanting to walk away.

"This community should support Ismail Kartal. You can't show support by throwing punches at him like this," Yildirim said.

"Ismail Kartal doesn't need to say he'll continue. I am his senior. I said he'll continue, and that's it. We're a family."

The club confirmed the person who threw the bottle has been identified. A statement was taken from them on the instruction of Istanbul prosecutors, and they have been banned from the stadium.

A Club Legend On And Off The Pitch

Kartal has deep ties to Fenerbahce. As a player he won two league titles among six trophies with the club, and he later spent four years as an assistant coach before winning the Turkish Super Cup in his first spell as manager back in 2014.

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