Dirk Kuyt Leaves Fenerbahce Days After Beating Former Club Liverpool

Kuyt Leaves Turkish Club

Dirk Kuyt officially left Fenerbahce on Wednesday. The departure comes exactly one week after the former Netherlands forward guided the team as interim coach to a 3-2 victory against his former club Liverpool in the Champions League.

Kuyt took charge of that match in Istanbul as interim coach. The victory over Liverpool was a big result, but the club had already agreed a deal with Emre Belözoğlu to take over as manager before the match took place.

History With Fenerbahce

Kuyt had returned to Fenerbahce back in July. He initially arrived to serve as an assistant to former coach Ismail Kartal, who resigned last month.

This was a return to a team he knows well. The former forward played for Fenerbahce between 2012 and 2015.

The club released a social media post to confirm his exit and thank him for his work. Fenerbahce stated, "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have contributed to these colors." They added, "Today we say goodbye to you but your place in this big family will never change."

Belözoğlu Takes Over

Emre Belözoğlu now takes over as manager. He is a former captain of Fenerbahce.

Belözoğlu steps into the job with Fenerbahce currently sixth in the Turkish league standings. The team will look to move up the domestic table under their new manager.

In European competition, Fenerbahce currently sit 19th in the 36-team Champions League standings. Their next match in the tournament is against Shakhtar Donetsk in London on Nov. 25.