Fenerbahce coach Ismail Kartal has returned to his duties after a dramatic 48-hour period surrounding his reported resignation. Kartal announced his decision to step down following the club’s 1-1 draw with AS Roma in the Champions League, but Fenerbahce refused to accept his resignation. The situation created uncertainty ahead of Monday’s Super Lig meeting with Gaziantep FK, particularly after Kartal did not attend Friday’s training session.

Fenerbahce later clarified the situation by confirming that Kartal would resume his responsibilities on Saturday. The club subsequently showed the coach back at work, effectively ending speculation over his immediate future. Kartal’s initial decision had come as a surprise to both the squad and the club, especially after Fenerbahce had begun their Champions League campaign with a respectable draw against Roma.

The resignation drama was reportedly influenced by an incident involving supporters as well as criticism directed at Kartal through social media. Club chairman Aziz Yildirim publicly backed the coach and made it clear that the resignation had not been accepted, insisting that Kartal would remain in charge. Although reports suggested that further efforts had been made to persuade Kartal to reconsider his decision, his return to training indicates that the club has managed to resolve the immediate crisis.

Kartal will now turn his attention toward the Super Lig clash with Gaziantep, with Fenerbahce hoping to move past the disruption and focus on improving their domestic campaign. The upcoming fixture will provide an important opportunity for the team to regain momentum and restore stability after a turbulent few days. With Kartal back on the touchline, Fenerbahce can now concentrate on their performances on the pitch rather than the uncertainty surrounding the coaching position.