Dirk Kuyt has been sacked by Fenerbahce.

This coming exactly a week after he led the Turkish club to a stunning Champions League victory over Liverpool, Fenerbahce were 1-0 and 2-1 down but came back to win 3-2.

A former player for the club, Dirk Kuyt started the 2026-27 season as number two to Ismail Kartal.

However, when Kartal left last month, Kuyt became interim team boss.

All change now though after Fenerbahce appointed former Newcastle United star Emre Belozoglu as the new Head Coach.

Back in his playing days, Emre Belozoglu moved from Inter Milan to Newcastle United for £3.8m in 2005, then after three years joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer.

In total Emre had three different spells as a play at Fenerbahce and then later became their Director of Football, before then becoming interim team boss himself for the final stages of the 2020-21 season. Though he didn’t get the job on a permanent basis, not then anyway.

As for Dirk Kuyt, seven days after the Champions League win over Liverpool he has been given his marching orders by Fenerbahce following Emre taking over.

Fenerbahce with an official announcement on Wednesday 11 November 2026:

‘Thanks, Dirk Kuyt!

Our Yellow and Blue story began years ago, and the bond between us has never been broken.

You were with us, first on the field, then on the bench. With your love and devotion to the striped jersey, you have earned a special place in all our hearts.

We sincerely thank you for everything you have contributed to these colors.

Today we bid you farewell, but your place in this great family will never change. Because some farewells are not separations, but the expression of an eternal bond.

May your path be clear, Dirk!’