Dirk Kuyt Appointed Fenerbahce Interim Manager Ahead of Liverpool Clash
· Sports · BBC Sport
Former Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt has been appointed interim coach of Fenerbahce following the resignation of Ismail Kartal. Kartal stepped down after the Turkish club fell to a 2-1 defeat against arch-rivals Galatasaray on Monday, leaving the team fifth in the top-flight and six points behind the leaders. Kuyt had been serving as Kartal's assistant coach since June 2026 and will hold the primary role until a permanent head coach is selected. His managerial tenure begins with a league fixture against Goztepe on Saturday before Fenerbahce host Kuyt's former club Liverpool in the Champions League on 4 November. During a six-year playing career at Liverpool, the 46-year-old scored 71 goals in 285 appearances and won the 2012 League Cup before spending three seasons at Fenerbahce.
Why it matters
The sudden leadership transition leaves Fenerbahce navigating a vital domestic title race and preparing for a key European encounter against Liverpool under a newly appointed manager.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.