Fenerbahce name ex-Liverpool player Kuyt interim coach

Kuyt won 104 caps for the Netherlands GETTY IMAGES

A former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has been appointed interim head coach of Turkish side Fenerbahce following the resignation of Ismail Kartal.

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Kuyt, 46, steps into the role after serving as Kartal’s assistant, with the club confirming that he will remain in charge until a new head coach is appointed.

Kartal’s departure came after Fenerbahce suffered a 2-1 defeat against arch-rivals Galatasaray on Monday, leaving the club fifth in the Turkish top flight, six points behind the league leaders.

Kuyt’s first assignment will be a league clash against Goztepe on Saturday before Fenerbahce host Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 4, at 17:45 GMT.

The upcoming European fixture will reunite the Dutchman with Liverpool, where he spent six years during his playing career.

Kuyt scored 71 goals in 285 appearances for the Reds and helped the club win the League Cup in 2012 before leaving Anfield.

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He later enjoyed a three-year spell at Fenerbahce, winning the Turkish league title with the club in the 2013-14 season.

He subsequently returned to Feyenoord before retiring from professional football in 2017.

Following his retirement, Kuyt moved into management, taking charge of ADO Den Haag, Beerschot and FC Dordrecht before joining Fenerbahce as an assistant coach in June 2026.

Kartal had previously submitted his resignation in September, but it was not accepted at the time, allowing him to remain in charge until his latest departure.

Kuyt now faces the immediate challenge of improving Fenerbahce’s domestic form while preparing the team for a difficult Champions League encounter against his former club.

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