Fenerbahçe appoint Kuijt as interim manager

Dirk Kuijt takes interim charge after Ismail Kartal's resignation following the derby loss to Galatasaray.

Fenerbahçe has appointed Dirk Kuijt as interim manager, taking over from Ismail Kartal who resigned after the club's defeat to rivals Galatasaray. The 46-year-old former international, who played for Fenerbahçe between 2012 and 2015, was serving as Kartal's assistant.

Fenerbahçe sit ninth in the Süper Lig after nine matches despite significant summer investment. Kartal had offered his resignation earlier in the season but was persuaded to stay by the club's leadership.

Kuijt will make his debut as interim manager in a home fixture against Göztepe in three days. Next week brings a notable reunion as Fenerbahçe host Liverpool in the Champions League.