Fenerbahçe head coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation Thursday after his side drew 1-1 with Roma in their Champions League opener, but the club president said shortly afterward that he remained in charge.
The match ended 18 years of Fenerbahçe's absence from Europe's top-tier competition.
"I am resigning from my position as of this evening," Kartal said at a post-match press conference. "I have made this decision to clear the way for my club."
"I have resigned from my post while there is still time, so that I can help my beloved Fenerbahçe, my players and the coaches who will come after me," said the 65-year-old, adding that he "shall never return."
Shortly afterward, however, Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım insisted that the coach would remain in his position.
