Fenerbahçe returned to the top interclub competition, the Champions League, after 18 full years, with the Turks kicking off their journey to the stars with a draw against Roma (1-1).
The big surprise, however, for the team’s fans—and others—came after the final whistle. The team’s coach, Ismail Kartal, announced at the press conference that he was resigning and, as he stated: “I made this decision to pave the way for my club. I’m stepping down now while it’s still early.”
This news, of course, came as a surprise not only to the fans but also to the players themselves, with the game’s goal-scorer, Archie Brown, learning the news while giving an interview. The Englishman could not believe what he was being told—that his coach had just resigned.
This is the moment Fenerbahçe player Archie Brown was told that Ismail Kartal resigned from his position as coach!
“What do you mean he resigned? What? As coach? I didn’t know about this.”
pic.twitter.com/Iq8hZO7pDE
Advertisement— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 10, 2026

This is the moment Fenerbahçe player Archie Brown was told that Ismail Kartal resigned from his position as coach! 
pic.twitter.com/Iq8hZO7pDE
