Fenerbahçe part ways with coach Ismail Kartal by mutual consent

Fenerbahçe have announced the end of their association with head coach Ismail Kartal by mutual consent, following the team’s 1-2 loss to traditional rivals Galatasaray in the ninth round of the Süper Lig.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the club confirmed that Kartal informed the management of his decision to resign. Both parties subsequently agreed to amicably terminate their relationship, bringing his tenure to a close in the wake of one of the season’s most significant matches.

The decision came just one day after the derby, which was marred by tension and post-match clashes inside the stadium. Fenerbahçe had earlier condemned the brawls that erupted after the final whistle, while Galatasaray accused their rivals of making misleading claims about the incident.

Kartal acknowledges shortcomings

Speaking after the match, Ismail Kartal admitted that Fenerbahçe’s performance in the first half fell short of acceptable standards. He noted a relative improvement after the break, during which the team scored, but said the side ultimately suffered an unwanted defeat. Kartal added that the coaching staff were evaluating the reasons for the loss internally before turning their attention to upcoming fixtures.

Pressure mounts on Fenerbahçe

The defeat has heightened the pressure on Fenerbahçe, who sit fifth in the Süper Lig table, six points behind Galatasaray at the top. The defending champions now lead the way as Fenerbahçe prepare for a new chapter following Kartal’s departure.

The club is expected to identify a successor in the coming period, while the squad focuses on regaining form and closing the gap on the league leaders.