Dirk Kuyt Named Fenerbahçe interim Manager Ahead of Crucial Liverpool Clash

Fenerbahçe has announced the appointment of Dirk Kuyt as their interim head coach, just days before a pivotal Champions League encounter against his former club, Liverpool.

The 46-year-old Kuyt assumes the role following the resignation of Ismail Kartal, who stepped down after Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 loss to arch-rivals Galatasaray earlier this week. Kuyt had previously served as Kartal’s assistant coach.

In a statement, Fenerbahçe confirmed that Kuyt will lead the team “until a new head coach is appointed.” His first assignment comes this Saturday in a Turkish Super Lig match against Göztepe, followed by the highly anticipated Champions League group stage fixture against Liverpool on Wednesday, November 4 (17:45 GMT).

Kuyt brings extensive experience to the role, having played for Fenerbahçe from 2013 to 2016, during which he helped the club secure the Turkish league title in the 2013-14 season. The Dutch forward also enjoyed a successful six-year tenure at Liverpool between 2007 and 2013, where he won the League Cup in 2012 and made 285 appearances, scoring 71 goals.

After retiring from professional football in 2017, Kuyt transitioned into management, overseeing stints at ADO Den Haag, Beerschot, and FC Dordrecht before joining Fenerbahçe as assistant coach in June 2026.

The appointment comes at a critical juncture, as Fenerbahçe currently sits fifth in the Turkish Super Lig table, six points behind league leaders Galatasaray. Kartal had originally submitted his resignation in September, but it was only accepted after this week’s defeat to Galatasaray.

Source link