Dirk Kuyt has left Fenerbahçe with immediate effect.
The Turkish club confirmed the departure of the 46-year-old Dutchman on Wednesday morning via social media, marking the end of his tenure following the appointment of Emre Belözoğlu as head coach.
Kuyt had been serving as an interim manager for the Istanbul side after the departure of Ismail Kartal in late October, as reported by Voetbal International. His brief spell in charge included a 1-2 home loss against Göztepe and a 3-2 victory over his former club, Liverpool, in the Champions League.
The club issued an extensive tribute to the former Netherlands international, who played for the team between 2012 and 2015.
“Your love for the yellow-blue colors and your loyalty have ensured that you have conquered a special place in the hearts of all Fenerbahçe supporters,” the club said in their official announcement.
While reports in Turkish media had previously suggested a potential role for Kuyt within the club’s youth academy, Fenerbahçe confirmed he will not be part of the new technical staff under Belözoğlu, according to Voetbal International. The new head coach debuted with a 5-0 win over Corum last weekend.
“Because I have been a head coach myself, I fully understand that every trainer needs the freedom to make his own choices and put together a staff that he thinks fits best with him and the club,” Kuyt told Waterwegsport.
Kuyt returned to the club last summer to serve as an assistant to Kartal. Following Kartal’s exit due to disappointing results, Kuyt stepped into the interim role. During his time in charge, he oversaw the club’s first Champions League campaign in eighteen years, highlighted by the win against Liverpool, as noted by Waterwegsport.
According to NOS, Kuyt was not included in the new manager’s technical staff, leading to the termination of his contract. Although he had publicly expressed a desire to remain with the club in any capacity, the final decision was made by the club’s leadership, as reported by VoetbalPrimeur.
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