Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has been appointed interim manager of Fenerbahce, with the Dutchman facing a reunion with his former club in the Champions League next week.
Kuyt, 46, takes charge following Ismail Kartal’s resignation after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 defeat by rivals Galatasaray on Monday. The Turkish club confirmed that the former forward would remain in the role until a permanent head coach is appointed.
Fenerbahce are fifth in the Turkish top flight, six points behind the leaders, leaving Kuyt with the immediate task of improving their domestic form.
His first match in charge will be Saturday’s league fixture against Goztepe, before Fenerbahce host Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 4.
The European tie will bring Kuyt face to face with the club where he spent six years as a player, scoring 71 goals in 285 appearances and winning the League Cup in 2012.
The Dutchman also played for Fenerbahce between 2012 and 2015, helping the club win the Turkish league title in the 2013-14 season.
After leaving Turkey, he returned to Feyenoord before retiring in 2017 and moving into coaching. He has managed ADO Den Haag, Beerschot and FC Dordrecht, before returning to Fenerbahce as an assistant in June 2026.
Kartal had previously offered to resign in September, but the club rejected his departure at the time. His exit now leaves Kuyt to steady the team ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
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