16.10.2026 11:20
After the 6-0 defeat against Aston Villa, things are not settling down at Fenerbahçe. Following the alleged crisis with Marco Asensio, it was claimed that Head Coach İsmail Kartal also had problems with Romelu Lukaku, N'Golo Kante, and Mason Greenwood. It was alleged that the star players clashed with the experienced coach over game and player preferences.
After Fenerbahçe's heavy 6-0 defeat against Aston Villa, new claims have been made regarding unrest within the team. Following reports that Marco Asensio refused to be included in the match squad after learning he would be left on the bench, it has been alleged that Head Coach İsmail Kartal has also had problems with other star players.
CLAIM THAT HE HAS FALLEN OUT WITH LUKAKU, KANTE AND GREENWOOD
According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, İsmail Kartal, who reversed his resignation decision with the president's support, has also had strained relations with Romelu Lukaku, N'Golo Kante and Mason Greenwood.
It has been alleged that the three star players think differently about the experienced coach's understanding of the game and squad choices, and that disagreements have therefore arisen between the parties.
SKRINIAR'S STATEMENTS ALSO CAUSED DISCOMFORT
In the report, it was claimed that captain Milan Skriniar, whom Kartal regards as one of the team's indispensable names, also upset his head coach with the statements he made after the defeats. It was alleged that Skriniar's post-match assessments were one of the elements that increased tension between the coaching staff and the players.
POST-MATCH WORDS TENSED THE DRESSING ROOM
It was stated that some statements İsmail Kartal made after the matches also caused dissatisfaction among the players. It was claimed that the experienced coach's criticisms of the players' performances at press conferences created unease within the team.
AUTHORITY EFFORT DISTANCED HIM FROM THE STARS
In the report, it was claimed that İsmail Kartal's approach aimed at strengthening his authority over the team negatively affected his relations with some star players. After these claims put forward following the Aston Villa defeat, eyes turned to Fenerbahçe's league match against Alanyaspor. No official confirmation regarding the alleged disagreements has come from the club or the named players.