Champions League manager quits just minutes after first match

Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIsmail Kartal resigned from his position on Thursday (Reuters)Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal unexpectedly announced his resignation immediately following the Turkish club's 1-1 draw with Roma in their first Champions League fixture in 18 years. The 65-year-old manager declared at a post-match press conference that he was leaving the club "never to return", stating he wished to pave the way for future coaches and help the team. Kartal's decision caught his squad by surprise, with English-born defender Archie Brown, who scored the second-half equalising goal, discovering his manager had stepped down while conducting a post-match interview. Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim refused to accept the resignation, insisting Kartal remains in his role and attributing the emotional announcement to distress caused by a fan throwing a bottle at the coach's head. Kartal had only returned for his fourth spell in charge of the Istanbul side in June, with Fenerbahce starting their domestic Turkish Super Lig season with two wins and two defeats. In fullFenerbahce coach stuns players by resigning after Champions League drawMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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