Fenerbahce boss Ismail Kartal resigns after Roma draw, but club president refuses to accept it

Ismail Kartal dramatically announced his resignation as Fenerbahce manager moments after Thursday’s 1-1 Champions League draw with AS Roma.

However, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim immediately rejected his decision.

Kartal made the shock declaration during his post-match press conference, bringing an extraordinary night in Istanbul to an even more surprising conclusion.

The 65-year-old said he had decided to step down after three months in charge, insisting his departure was intended to help Fenerbahce move forward.

“As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position,” Kartal said.

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

But Yildirim swiftly intervened, insisting Kartal remains in charge despite his announcement.

“Ismail Kartal is still in charge,” he said in a statement (via beIN SPORTS). The club should support our coach. Until I leave, Ismail Kartal is the head coach of Fenerbahce.”

Yildirim said Kartal cited the pressure surrounding the job and an incident during the Roma match, when a bottle thrown from the stands struck him, as the reasons for his decision.

The club has since identified the supporter responsible and banned them from the stadium.

Yildirim also urged Fenerbahce supporters and the media to ease the pressure on Kartal, adding: “We’re a family.”

The extraordinary situation stunned the Fenerbahce players.

Archie Brown, who scored the equaliser against Roma after Bryan Cristante’s opener, was informed of Kartal’s resignation during his own post-match interview.

Kartal returned for his fourth spell this summer after guiding Fenerbahce through Champions League qualifying and back into the competition proper for the first time in 18 years.

However, Fenerbahce have endured a difficult domestic start, sitting ninth in the Super Lig with two wins and two defeats. They are already four points behind leaders Galatasaray.