21.08.2026 10:24
The debates regarding Fenerbahçe Head Coach İsmail Kartal's technical staff are not coming to an end. After the claim that the person Kartal had previously introduced as a 'professor' was a doctoral student, this time the career history of match and performance analyst Kutay Arslan has sparked controversy. It has also been alleged that Arslan is a close friend of İsmail Kartal's son, Emre Kartal, and the information that has emerged has drawn the reaction of fans.
The career record of Kutay Arslan, who works as a Match and Performance Analyst in the technical staff at Fenerbahçe, has emerged, showing the teams he has worked with in the past.
In this record, it is seen that Arslan worked as an amateur team coach at Şirinyerspor, Çengelköyspor, and Yeniköyspor. It is also noted that Arslan was later appointed as the U13-U15 age group team coach at Fenerbahçe, and then assigned to the position of Match and Performance Analyst.
CLAIM OF BEING A CLOSE FRIEND OF EMRE KARTAL
Another detail that fueled the controversy was the claim that Kutay Arslan is a close friend of İsmail Kartal's son, Emre Kartal. There is no official statement from the club regarding whether Arslan's friendship with Emre Kartal had any influence on his appointment at Fenerbahçe.
BIG REACTION FROM FANS
After Kutay Arslan's career history was shared, some Fenerbahçe fans criticized the way the technical staff was formed. Especially the career path extending from roles in amateur teams to the match and performance analysis team of the Fenerbahçe first team became the focus of discussions.
Fans commented that, in line with the goals of the yellow-navy club, the experience and careers of the names taking part in the technical staff should be stronger.
THE "PROFESSOR" CLAIM WAS ALSO DISCUSSED
İsmail Kartal's technical staff had also been the subject of debate the previous day over another claim. Journalist Ahmet Selim Kul alleged that a person Kartal had previously introduced as a "professor" was in fact a doctoral student.
Kul also claimed that some individuals in the technical staff were appointed through their friendships with Emre Kartal. With Kutay Arslan's career history coming to light, discussions about the technical staff have reignited.