Fenerbahçe SK manager Ismail Kartal's future at the club will be determined following a critical evaluation period after the team's challenging start to the season. According to a report by Hürriyet Spor, the club's board has initiated this assessment phase to make a final decision regarding the coach.
The team concluded the fourth week of the Süper Lig with 6 points, from 2 wins and 2 losses. This places Fenerbahçe 7th in the league table, 4 points behind leaders Galatasaray. Having scored 8 goals and conceded 6 in the first four matches, their goal difference stands at +2. Their recent form reads LWWL.
Why is the team playing so openly?
Club captain Milan Skriniar offered a frank criticism of the recent performances. Skriniar said, "We gave too much space to the opponent, we played too openly! We need to be better. We must be able to stay compact." These comments point to organizational issues in the defensive line. The team's position on our standings page supports these criticisms.
The defeat in the second half of the Beşiktaş derby made the existing problems even more visible. Having suffered two defeats at the start of the season, Fenerbahçe has managed only 2 wins in 34 league matches so far this campaign. This statistic increases the pressure on the technical staff. Also, the absence of Jayden Oosterwolde, who is on the injury list, is another factor affecting the defensive setup.
Is President Aziz Yıldırım satisfied with the squad?
Club president Aziz Yıldırım stated that the problem does not lie with the squad. Yıldırım said, "The squad is good, there is no problem with the squad. We need to work harder. There is a player named Mert Müldür." The president's remarks were interpreted as a sign that the technical team is not fully use the existing player potential. The team's current squad structure supports this view.
Fenerbahçe, under their third head coach of the season, Ismail Kartal, will play their first UEFA Champions League match in 18 years against AS Roma. Before this important European adventure, there are critical matches such as the away game against Gaziantep in the league and the Turkish Cup match against Eyüpspor. These fixtures will be decisive for Kartal's future.
What does the upcoming schedule look like?
Fenerbahçe's next Süper Lig match will be an away game against Başakşehir on December 6, 2026. This match against an opponent currently 10th in the table is one of the important tests in the team's recovery process. You can follow the schedule for all these matches on our fixtures page. The team must also manage injury situations during this busy period; current information is available on the injuries page.
The critical period will focus on how the manager rallies the team and what corrections he makes, especially in the defensive organization. The 6 points earned and the performance shown in the first four weeks of the season are testing the board's patience. Fenerbahçe SK must make the most of the time leading up to the Başakşehir match on December 6th.
