Trabzonspor have reversed their earlier decision and accepted the resignation of head coach Fatih Tekke following a dramatic reversal of the club's position. The Turkish Super Lig side initially rejected his request to step down after a heavy Europa League defeat, but have now agreed to part ways with the 48-year-old manager.
Tekke tendered his resignation after Trabzonspor were eliminated from the Europa League play-off round, losing 5-0 on aggregate to Hungarian club Ferencvaros. The club's board initially rejected his request on Friday, suggesting the decision had been made under the "intense emotional impact" of the continental exit. However, following further discussions about the club's future direction and strategy, Trabzonspor announced on Wednesday that they had reached a "mutual understanding" with their head coach to part ways.
What Led to the Manager's Departure?
Tekke's exit came after mounting pressure on the coaching staff. According to reports from African Soccer, a 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Amedspor served as the immediate trigger for the final split, despite the club having initially planned for Tekke to remain in charge for that league match before the later U-turn occurred.
The manager had been appointed in March 2025 and guided Trabzonspor to a third-place finish in the league last season. His tenure also included winning the Turkish Cup, an achievement the club highlighted in their statement.
How Did the Club Justify the Change of Heart?
In their official statement released on Wednesday, Trabzonspor explained the reasoning behind accepting the resignation. The club stated it had reached a "mutual understanding" with Tekke and decided to part ways "in line with Trabzonspor's interests and long-term objectives".
Over his approximately 18-month tenure, Fatih Tekke brought significant value to Trabzonspor. Beyond contributing to the development of the players added to our squad during this period, he delivered important sporting and financial gains for our club. By bringing the Turkish Cup back to our museum, he once again wrote his name into Trabzonspor's history.
The statement continued by noting that both parties had recognised the need for a new direction. Trabzonspor added:
At this point, we reached a mutual understanding with our coach - who stated he would never allow his presence to harm Trabzonspor in any way - that drawing a new roadmap, prioritising the club's interests above all else, had become unavoidable. We thank our coach for his efforts, his dedicated work, the successes he delivered, and the value he added to Trabzonspor.
Who Will Take Over as Manager?
According to Turkish football reports, former Trabzonspor player Hüseyin Çimşir was appointed as interim manager while the club searched for a permanent replacement. Çimşir was tasked with preparing the team for the Super Lig match against Genclerbirligi scheduled for Sunday, 6 September.
What Is Trabzonspor's Current Status in European Competition?
Despite the Europa League exit, Trabzonspor will continue to compete in European football this season through the Europa Conference League. The club faces six opponents in the competition, including Scottish side Hearts.
The seven-time Turkish champions have invested heavily in their squad ahead of the campaign. The club signed Mohamed Salah in the summer after the Egypt international mutually agreed to end his contract at Liverpool. Salah, 34, is the third-highest scorer in Liverpool's history with 257 goals in 442 appearances following his move from Roma in 2017. He made an immediate impact at his new club, scoring twice in a 2-1 victory against Istanbul Basaksehir on Saturday.
Trabzonspor also recruited Liverpool's Premier League-winning midfielder Fabinho during the summer transfer window, while goalkeeper Andre Onana rejoined the club on loan from Manchester United.
What Happens Next?
According to the Anadolu Agency, Trabzonspor's immediate focus will be on stabilising the team under interim management while conducting a search for a permanent head coach. The club's next fixture against Genclerbirligi on 6 September will be Çimşir's first match in charge, marking a fresh start for the organisation following the turbulent managerial situation.
