Fenerbahce announced the appointment of Ismail Kartal as their manager for the fourth time on Thursday. The Istanbul giants dismissed Italian-German manager Domenico Tedesco on April 27th, after losing the Intercontinental Derby 3-0 to Galatasaray.
Fenerbahce finished three points behind Galatasaray in the 2025-26 Super Lig.
At the same time, the club confirmed that Fenerbahce star Dirk Kuyt will join Kartal as his assistant manager. Kuyt, who played for Fenerbahce between 2012 and 2015, is currently the manager of Dutch second-tier side FC Dordrecht, whom he joined in 2025.
"Dirk Kuyt, with whom a principal agreement has been reached to join our technical staff, played a significant role in our club's championship during his playing career, and earned the love and appreciation of our fans with his professionalism and fighting spirit," the club said in Kartal's welcoming statement.
Kuyt joined FC Dordrecht in 2025 after getting fired at Belgian side Beerschot, with whom he won the Belgian second division in 2024. FC Dordrecht were planning on starting their pre-season with Kuyt on Friday, but with Kuyt intent on leaving, the second-tier club want to see compensation for the manager's departure.
The Katwijk-born Kuyt, a 104-time Dutch international, joined Fenerbahce in 2012 from Liverpool. Kuyt won the Turkish Cup in his first season with the club and won the Turkish Süper Lig in 2014, which remains the last Süper Lig trophy the club have won to date.