Fenerbahce confirm Kuyt will remain interim coach until international break

By Halis Sunnetci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Fenerbahce announced Friday that interim head coach Dirk Kuyt will remain in charge until the November international break as the Turkish club steps up its search for a permanent replacement.

The Istanbul club initially appointed the former Dutch international on Wednesday following the resignation of head coach Ismail Kartal.

In its latest statement, Fenerbahce said its board of directors had reviewed the team's coaching arrangements and decided to retain Kuyt until the international break.

"It has been decided that Dirk Kuyt will assume technical responsibility for our first-team squad until the league break for international fixtures," the club said.

Fenerbahce added that a committee formed by the board would oversee the appointment of a new head coach, and that the process would be accelerated.

Kuyt, 46, spent six seasons at Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, scoring 71 goals in 285 appearances and winning the League Cup in 2012.

The former Dutch forward will now face his former club as Fenerbahce host Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Kuyt also played for Fenerbahce between 2012 and 2015 before returning to the Istanbul club in June as Kartal's assistant coach.

He will oversee Fenerbahce's upcoming matches against Goztepe, Liverpool and Corum FK before the international break.

Kartal stepped down Tuesday, a day after Fenerbahce suffered a 2-1 derby defeat to archrivals Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig.

Halis Sünnetci