# Emre Belözoğlu appointed as Fenerbahçe head coach

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fenerbahe-head-coach-search
> Updated: 2026-11-04T06:33:09.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 3.

Fenerbahçe management has finalized the appointment of Emre Belözoğlu as the new head coach. This decision follows the departure of Ismail Kartal and a period of poor performance where the club secured only one victory in five matches.

The search for a replacement initially focused on foreign candidates, including Julian Nagelsmann, Ernesto Valverde, Roberto Martínez, and José Luis Mendilibar. A primary pursuit of Portuguese manager Sergio Conceição reportedly stalled due to disagreements regarding salary expectations and specific conditions for his coaching staff. New reports indicate Conceição requested a salary increase from 7 million to 8 million Euros during negotiations.

Belözoğlu, 46, joins the club from Kasımpaşa on a 1.5-year contract. He has a prior history with Fenerbahçe, having served as both a player and a sporting director, as well as an interim manager in 2021. Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım reportedly personally convinced Belözoğlu to take the role.

With this appointment, interim coach Dirk Kuyt, who managed the side for one match following Kartal’s resignation, is expected to step aside. Kuyt’s brief tenure concluded following a 2:1 home defeat against Göztepe. While Kuyt has expressed a desire to remain with the club, his future role within the technical staff remains undecided. Former coach Ersun Yanal has commented on the appointment, urging the club and fans to support Belözoğlu and provide him with the necessary space to work. It remains unclear if Belözoğlu will be ready to lead the team in their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool.

## Claims

- Cody Gakpo stated that Liverpool has both scored and conceded goals in the Premier League and Champions League. (reported by 4 sources)
- Gakpo described the Champions League as a special place with special stages. (reported by 4 sources)
- Liverpool will play Fenerbahçe in the fourth week of the UEFA Champions League. (reported by 3 sources)
- The match is scheduled to take place at 20:45. (reported by 3 sources)
- Gakpo noted that there is a lot of potential within the team and players are in a period of proving themselves. (reported by 3 sources)
- Gakpo recalled Dirk Kuyt making a hattrick in a championship-winning match. (reported by 1 source)
- Liverpool lost 0-1 to Arsenal last weekend. (reported by 1 source)
- The gap to the leader is nine points following the loss to Arsenal. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-04: Fenerbahçe appoints Emre Belözoğlu as head coach

Fenerbahçe has named Emre Belözoğlu as head coach on a 1.5-year deal, following the departures of Ismail Kartal and interim manager Dirk Kuijt.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emre-belzolu-appointed-as-fenerbahe-head-coach

### 2026-11-02: Fenerbahçe searches for new manager amid sporting crisis

Fenerbahçe is evaluating several high-profile foreign managers, including Julian Nagelsmann and Sergio Conceição, to address a recent slump in performance and league standings.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fenerbahe-searches-for-new-manager-amid-sporting-crisis

### 2026-11-02: Fenerbahçe appoints Emre Belözoğlu as new head coach

Fenerbahçe has reportedly agreed to a 1.5-year contract with Emre Belözoğlu to become their new head coach following failed talks with Sergio Conceição.

43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fenerbahe-considers-sergio-conceiao-for-new-head-coach-role

---
Cite as: Emre Belözoğlu appointed as Fenerbahçe head coach. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fenerbahe-head-coach-search