Dirk Kuyt will face former club Liverpool next week after being appointed interim coach of Fenerbahce following Ismail Kartal’s resignation.
The former Netherlands international has been placed in temporary charge of the Turkish club, with his first match coming against Goztepe in the league this weekend.
Liverpool will then visit Turkiye next Wednesday for a Champions League meeting with Fenerbahce, giving Kuyt an immediate reunion with the club where he spent six years as a player.
Kartal’s departure follows Fenerbahce’s 2-1 defeat by rivals Galatasaray on Monday. That result left Fenerbahce six points behind the Turkish Super Lig leaders after nine games.
Kuyt, 46, made 285 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions between 2006 and 2012. He scored 71 goals and supplied 34 assists during his time at Anfield.
He helped Liverpool win the EFL Cup in the 2011-12 season and was also part of the side that finished as FA Cup runners-up that campaign.
Kuyt scored in the 2006-07 Champions League final, although Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan.
After leaving Liverpool, Kuyt spent three years with Fenerbahce before returning to Feyenoord in 2015. He played a role in their 2016-17 Eredivisie title success, which was the club’s first league championship since 1999.
His coaching career has included managerial positions at ADO Den Haag, Beerschot and FC Dordrecht. Kuyt returned to Fenerbahce in June earlier this year, joining Kartal’s coaching staff as an assistant.
Kartal had previously submitted his resignation after Fenerbahce drew 1-1 with Roma in the Champions League in September. At the time, he said he intended never to return to the club.
However, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim later said in a statement published on the Turkish club’s website that he had not accepted Kartal’s resignation.
Kartal has now left the position, with Kuyt taking charge on an interim basis ahead of two significant fixtures for Fenerbahce. The new coach’s opening match will be the league game against Goztepe before Liverpool arrive in the Champions League the following Wednesday.
