Fenerbahçe Searches for a New Head Coach as Foreign Names Emerge

Fenerbahçe's management has changed its plans for the head coach position after the 2-1 defeat to Göztepe. The board, which had considered going into the three matches before the international break with Dirk Kuyt, met after Chairman Aziz Yıldırım openly stated that he did not want a Turkish coach, and evaluated foreign candidates.

Sergio Conceiçao tops the list. The Portuguese coach had also come up on Sadettin Saran's radar last season, and an agreement had even been reached with him. However, because the season was already well underway, Saran chose to continue with Domenico Tedesco. Conceiçao most recently managed Al-Ittihad and left the club in June 2026.

Ernesto Valverde and Jose Luis Mendilibar are also among the names contacted. Valverde left Athletic Bilbao at the end of last season. Mendilibar's tenure with the Greek club Olympiakos ended on September 10, 2026. All three are currently without a club.

A considerable number of board members want a Turkish coach. Of the five members of the Futbol A.Ş board, three want a foreign coach and two want a Turkish one.

Meanwhile, it was claimed that Aziz Yıldırım, whom the stands called on to resign after the Göztepe match, had decided to step down. His team, however, did not allow it, saying, 'Chairman, we are with you to the end.' At yesterday's board meeting, the election was not raised, and Yıldırım was given full support.