Fenerbahce Coach Ismail Kartal stuns players by resigning after Champions League draw

Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal shocked his squad by announcing his resignation minutes after the club’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma on Thursday, saying he was leaving “never to return,” according to The Independent. Defender Archie Brown, whose second-half goal cancelled out Bryan Cristante’s opener, learned of the news during a post-match interview and appeared visibly confused.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim later refused to accept the resignation, revealing that a fan had thrown a bottle at Kartal during the match and that the coach was upset over mounting pressure. Kartal, in his fourth spell at the club, had guided Fenerbahce to their first Champions League appearance in 18 years.