Kuijt explains departure from Fenerbahçe

Kuijt departed after new manager Emre Belözoglu took over; the former interim boss said the coach deserves freedom to build his own staff.

Dirk Kuijt has departed Fenerbahçe after serving as assistant coach and briefly as interim manager. The club announced his exit on Wednesday following the arrival of new head coach Emre Belözoglu.

Kuijt explained his departure on social media, saying the new manager deserves the freedom to make his own decisions and assemble his preferred coaching staff. "As someone who has been a head coach myself, I understand completely that every coach needs the liberty to take their own decisions and build a staff that suits them and the club," Kuijt said.

Despite the departure, Kuijt expressed gratitude and no ill will toward Fenerbahçe. He highlighted the intensity of his time at the Turkish club and called reaching the Champions League for the first time in 18 years a major achievement. He also noted that his interim period culminated in a Champions League victory against his former club Liverpool—an experience he called unforgettable.

Kuijt stressed this is not a final goodbye, saying "This is not a farewell. It is simply a see you later."