Former Netherlands striker Dirk Kuyt has been named interim head coach of Fener Bahçe, stepping into the role a week before the Turkish side face his former club Liverpool in the Champions League. Kuyt, 46, took over after the resignation of Ismail Kartal, who stepped down following a 2‑1 loss to arch‑rivals Galatasaray. The club announced that Kuyt would hold the position “until a new head coach is appointed,” indicating that the appointment is temporary while a permanent replacement is sought.
Kuyt’s first assignment as caretaker will be a Turkish Süper Lig match against Göztepe on Saturday, followed by the high‑profile Champions League group fixture against Liverpool on Wednesday, 4 November at 17:45 GMT. The Dutchman’s connection to both clubs is deep: he played for Liverpool from 2009 to 2015, scoring 71 goals in 285 appearances and winning the League Cup in 2012. He also spent three seasons at Fener Bahçe as a player, helping the team secure the Turkish league title in 2013‑14, and later returned to the club in a coaching capacity.
Before joining Fener Bahçe’s coaching staff, Kuyt had managed several clubs in Europe, including ADO Den Haag, Beerschot and FC Dordrecht. He joined the Turkish club’s backroom team in June 2026 as assistant to Kartal, a role he had held since Kartal’s appointment in September. Kartal’s resignation came after a controversial decision to remain in charge despite the club’s board rejecting his continuation, leading to a brief period of uncertainty before Kuyt was promoted.
Fener Bahçe currently sit fifth in the Süper Lig, six points adrift of league leaders Galatasaray. The interim appointment comes at a crucial juncture as the club seeks to stabilize its domestic campaign while preparing for the European clash against a team that once featured his own talents. The match against Liverpool will test Kuyt’s tactical acumen and his ability to galvanise a squad that has experienced recent managerial upheaval.
Looking ahead, Kuyt’s performance in the upcoming league and Champions League matches will likely influence the club’s decision on whether to retain him beyond the interim period. Meanwhile, Liverpool will be eager to leverage their historical familiarity with Kuyt in an effort to secure a vital group‑stage victory. The outcome of the match could set the tone for both clubs’ campaigns in the months to come.