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Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation at a post-match press conference on Thursday, hours after his side drew 1-1 with Roma in their opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Kartal thanked the players and supporters before confirming he was stepping down. "I made this decision to clear the way for my club," he said. "I will never come back. Good evening, everyone."
Speaking about the match itself, Kartal said Roma were a very good team that Fenerbahce had prepared for thoroughly.
He said his side had studied Roma's weaknesses in advance and that his players had carried out the game plan to the letter.
"Champions League matches are matches of strategy," he said, adding that Fenerbahce had played good football and put in a performance worthy of the competition, but had been the side to let victory slip.
He noted the team had taken one point from its opening match and thanked his players for following his instructions.
Kartal used the same press conference to announce he was leaving his post. He said that since the start of the season, the club's president and management had supported him and his players through their training camps, calling them good days.
He congratulated his players before confirming his resignation, thanking the media, supporters and players who had backed him. He said he was leaving his role "to clear the way" for the club and stated that his decision to resign was final, adding that he would never return to the post.
Fenerbahce and Roma had shared the points at Ulker Stadyumu earlier Thursday in a match that saw Bryan Cristante put Roma ahead in the first half before Archie Brown equalized for Fenerbahce shortly after the restart.
Roma had a late penalty appeal overturned by VAR, and Fenerbahce's Nathan Ake struck the crossbar in the closing minutes, but neither side found a winner. It was Fenerbahce's first Champions League league-phase match in 18 years.
Kartal's resignation leaves Fenerbahce searching for a new head coach with their next league-phase fixture and a domestic trip to Gaziantep both on the horizon.
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