Kuijt apologises to Fenerbahçe fans: 'We are fragile'

Kuijt apologised to Fenerbahçe fans after losing his first match as interim manager to mid-table Göztepe at home, citing fragility in the squad.

Dirk Kuijt suffered defeat in his debut as Fenerbahçe interim manager, with the Turkish club losing 2-1 at home to Göztepe. After the match, Kuijt apologised to supporters, acknowledging the team's current vulnerability. "We are fragile," he told beIN Sports. "The fans deserve better. My staff and I did everything to prepare the team, but sometimes we are fragile."

Kuijt felt his tactical approach worked in the first half, with Fenerbahçe dominating possession at 72% and scoring a good goal. However, the second half unravelled after an individual error led to Göztepe's opening goal, and despite creating three clear chances, the team could not find the breakthrough. "In times like these you need some luck," Kuijt reflected.

The Dutch manager, who played for Fenerbahçe from 2012 to 2015, took over after Ismail Kartal's departure. He is now focused on Wednesday's Champions League visit from Liverpool, another club close to his heart. "Wins are the best medicine in our current situation," Kuijt said. "We have good players and we will have no excuses."