Dirk Kuyt named Fenerbahce interim coach ahead of Liverpool tie
The former Liverpool forward steps up from assistant after Ismail Kartal resigned following defeat by Galatasaray.
The 46-year-old moves up from his role as assistant to Ismail Kartal, who resigned as manager after Monday's 2-1 defeat by arch rivals Galatasaray. The club said Kuyt would remain in charge until a new head coach is appointed.
Kartal had already tried to step down in September, but on that occasion his resignation was not accepted. His departure leaves Fenerbahce fifth in the Turkish top-flight, six points adrift of leaders Galatasaray.
Kuyt spent six years at Liverpool, where he lifted the League Cup in 2012. He later had a three-year spell as a Fenerbahce player, winning the Turkish league title in 2013-14, before finishing his career at Feyenoord and retiring in 2017.
His coaching career has taken in managerial posts at ADO Den Haag, Beerschot and FC Dordrecht, and he joined Fenerbahce as an assistant in June 2026.
Kuyt's first game in charge is a league match against Goztepe on Saturday. Fenerbahce then host Liverpool in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday, 4 November.
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