Domenico Tedesco, the manager whom Fenerbahçe sacked just a few days ago following Sunday’s crushing defeat in the derby against Galatasaray, received a warm send-off at Istanbul Airport from numerous fans who turned up to bid him a final and emotional farewell, carrying flowers and cheering the Italian manager, who has now left Turkey.
The 40-year-old manager left Türkiye on Friday morning aboard a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Stuttgart, Germany. Despite having been sacked by the Fenerbahçe board following the recent heavy defeat in the derby against Galatasaray, more than a hundred supporters of the Turkish club turned up at the airport to bid farewell to Tedesco, who did not hesitate to pose for photos and sign autographs for the fans despite the difficulties faced by security in containing the crowd, according to the Turkish news agency DHA.
Tedesco, who previously managed RB Leipzig and served as Belgium’s national team coach, joined Fenerbahçe in September 2025 to succeed the controversial José Mourinho; but his brief spell failed to turn the team’s fortunes around or provide the consistency needed to end Galatasaray’s dominance in the Süper Lig, where the Lions are on course for their fourth consecutive league title.
In the 45 competitive matches in which he managed Fenerbahçe across three different competitions – the Turkish Süper Lig, the Europa League and the Turkish Cup – Domenico Tedesco recorded 26 wins, 12 draws and 7 defeats; but it was undoubtedly last Sunday’s defeat in the so-called ‘Intercontinental Derby‘ that weighed heaviest on his record and led the board on Monday to inform him – and his entire coaching staff – of his immediate dismissal. The fact is that Fenerbahçe – who have not won the league since 2014 and are desperately in need of a title – now find themselves, following the humiliating defeat in the derby, 7 points behind Galatasaray with just 3 matchdays remaining until the end of the season.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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