Fenerbahçe coach quits a month after previous resignation

Fenerbahçe coach Ismail Kartal has resigned less than 24 hours after the Istanbul derby defeat against Galatasaray.

"After talks with our club leadership, this decision was accepted by mutual agreement and with mutual recognition and appreciation," Fenerbahçe said in a statement on Tuesday after the 2-1 league defeat. Fener are fifth, six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

In September, Kartal also offered his resignation but Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yildirim rejected it.

According to Yildirim, Kartal was then upset by a fan throwing a bottle at his head.

His fourth spell as coach at Fener ends after only a few months. He had previously managed the club in 2014-2015, 2022 and 2023-2024.

The derby between arch-rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe on Monday was overshadowed by a fracas after the final whistle. Players from both teams went at each other on the pitch. Police and security forces had to intervene.