Fenerbahce have confirmed Ismail Kartal will remain as head coach despite announcing he had resigned after his team’s draw in the Champions League.
The Turkish manager stunned the football world this week as he informed reporters of his resignation just minutes after his side’s 1-1 draw against Roma.
Ismail Kartal on the touchline during the Champions League draw against Roma. Getty Images
Kartal kept his declaration short and sweet, confirming he would be departing his role for the fourth time at Fenerbahçe with the “intention of never returning.”
Kartal had only taken back the top job at Fenerbahçe in June.
The playing group was informed by reporters of their manager’s decision shortly after the press conference, leaving many puzzled about what was happening.
“What do you mean he resigned? As what? As coach?” defender Archie Brown asked reporters when informed of the decision.
“He’s not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn’t know about this.”
While Kartal congratulated and wished all who he dealt with at the club the best with their future, the club has since confirmed his resignation was not accepted.
Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yildrim revealed in a statement that Kartal will be in charge when the team returns to the Turkish Super Lig on Tuesday (AEST).
“Kartal is still in his position,” the brief statement read.
“Our team will continue preparations for the Gaziantep FK match with a training session under the direction of our head coach İsmail Kartal.
“We hereby inform the public.”
Yildrim had previously acknowledged that Kartal cited the “pressure” of holding the top job at Fenerbahçe as one of the reason’s for his sudden resignation.
He also added that a bottle thrown from the stands that had struck Kartal during the Champions League match accelerated his decision.
Fenerbahçe has since identified the spectator who threw the bottle and the individual has been issue a ban from the stadium.
“You can’t show support by throwing punches at him like this,” Yildirim continued.
“Ismail Kartal doesn’t need to say he’ll continue. I am his senior. I said he’ll continue, and that’s it. We’re a family.”
Gaziantep FK will host Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig on Tuesday morning.