Former Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt has been appointed Fenerbahce’s interim coach just one week before the Turkish club faces his former team, Liverpool, in the Champions League. The 46-year-old assumes the position after serving as assistant to Ismail Kartal, who resigned from his role following a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Galatasaray on Monday.
Coaching Transition and Upcoming Fixtures
Fenerbahce announced that Kuyt, who previously captured a Turkish league championship with the team as a player during the 2013-14 season, will manage the squad until a permanent head coach is named. His managerial debut in the top job will take place in a league fixture against Goztepe on Saturday. Following that encounter, Fenerbahce will welcome Liverpool to Istanbul for a Champions League group stage fixture scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at 17:45 GMT.
Kartal had previously attempted to step down as manager in September, though he remained in charge after the club rejected his resignation at that time. Kuyt takes the helm with Fenerbahce positioned fifth in the Turkish top-flight standings, trailing league leaders Galatasaray by six points.
Playing and Managerial Background
During his playing career, the Dutchman spent six years at Anfield, netting 71 goals across 285 total appearances and lifting the League Cup with the Reds in 2012. He subsequently completed a three-year spell playing for Fenerbahce before concluding his playing career at Feyenoord in 2017.
Prior to joining Fenerbahce’s coaching staff as an assistant in June 2026, Kuyt held managerial positions with ADO Den Haag, Beerschot, and FC Dordrecht.
