Headline: Dirk Kuyt Takes Charge as Interim Manager of Fenerbahce Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Fenerbahce has appointed former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt as the interim manager, just one week before the team is set to face Liverpool in the Champions League. This decision follows a disappointing 2-1 loss to rivals Galatasaray in a Super Lig match on Monday, which ultimately led to head coach Ismail Kartal’s resignation on Tuesday night.
Kuyt, who served as Kartal’s assistant, will be at the helm “until a new head coach is appointed.” The 46-year-old is scheduled to lead his first domestic match this weekend against Goztepe, with Fenerbahce currently sitting in fifth position in the league. Following the domestic match, Kuyt will welcome his former club Liverpool to Istanbul for the Champions League showdown.
In his six years at Liverpool, Kuyt became a fan favorite, scoring 71 goals in 285 appearances. He won the League Cup in 2012 and was the club’s top scorer in two seasons, notably netting 12 times during his debut campaign in 2006/07 and 13 goals the following season, including a memorable hat-trick against Manchester United.
Moreover, Kuyt enjoyed a successful three-year playing stint at Fenerbahce, where he secured the Super Lig and the Turkish Cup before returning to Feyenoord, helping the club clinch its first Eredivisie title in 18 years in 2017.
The Dutchman, who earned 104 caps for the Netherlands, played in the 2010 World Cup final against Spain, contributing 24 goals during his decade-long international career.
Before his current appointment, Kuyt held managerial roles at ADO Den Haag, Beerschot, and FC Dordrecht. He became an assistant at Fenerbahce in June 2026. His time at the club has been marked by instability, with Kartal resigning briefly in September before returning, only to leave again this week at Fenerbahce’s request.
Currently, Fenerbahce has not secured the Super Lig title since the 2013/14 season and currently trails league leaders Galatasaray by six points after nine matches in this campaign.
