As Bild newspaper reports, former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco has been dismissed with immediate effect as head coach of Turkish top club Fenerbahçe Istanbul. The trigger for the separation was a clear defeat in the prestigious Istanbul derby against arch-rivals Galatasaray. The match ended with a severe thrashing for Tedesco's team, prompting the club's management to pull the plug.
According to specialist magazine Kicker, Fenerbahçe parted ways with Tedesco after the clear derby defeat. The 40-year-old German-Italian had taken over the position at the traditional Turkish club just under eight months ago. The sporting downturn in recent weeks and the disastrous performance in the derby against Galatasaray ultimately sealed his fate. The club's management around President Ali Koç felt compelled to act in order not to jeopardize the season's objectives.
Sportschau also reports on Tedesco's dismissal after the derby defeat against Galatasaray. The former coach of RB Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 could not meet the high expectations in Istanbul. Under his leadership, Fenerbahçe fell short of expectations in the league and missed important victories. The derby defeat was the culmination of a series of disappointing results.
Leipziger Volkszeitung (LVZ) recalls that Tedesco was once successful at RB Leipzig before moving to Istanbul. However, his time at Fenerbahçe was marked by ups and downs. After a promising start, the team fell into a crisis from which it could not recover. The derby defeat was ultimately the straw that broke the camel's back.
Ntv reports that the separation occurred after nearly eight months. Tedesco had taken over the position from his predecessor in summer 2025. The club hoped to usher in a new era with the young coach, but the results fell short of expectations. In particular, defeats against direct championship rivals caused discontent among fans and the club's management.
Tedesco's dismissal comes at a critical point in the season. Fenerbahçe is fighting for qualification for European competitions and urgently needs a turnaround. The club's management will now be looking for a successor who can stabilize the team and lead it back to its former strength. Possible candidates are already being discussed in the media, but there are no official statements yet.
Tedesco himself has not yet commented on his dismissal. The coach, who gained experience in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04 and RB Leipzig, will likely take a break or look for a new challenge. His market value as a coach remains high despite the setback in Istanbul, as he has repeatedly proven his abilities in the past.
