Kuijt leads Fenerbahçe to historic win over Liverpool

In Turkey there is euphoria after the spectacular victory of Fenerbahçe over Liverpool (3‑2), with interim‑coach Dirk Kuijt on the bench and thereby securing the first Champions‑League win of the season. The victory came despite the chaotic start to the season for the club, which is currently only in sixth place in the Turkish Süper Lig.

So far the season has been mainly chaotic for Fenerbahçe, which is disappointingly in sixth place in the Turkish Süper Lig. Although Emre Belözoglu was recently appointed to get the club back on the right track, he was not on the sidelines on Wednesday during the Champions‑League duel with Liverpool.

Therefore Kuijt remained the ultimate responsible and delivered a brilliant performance, according to the Turkish media. Fanatik rejoices: ‘Fenerbahçe has for the first time in more than 18 years and 7 months achieved a victory again in the UEFA Champions League’. Haber Global adds: ‘A spectacular comeback. And that precisely against the club where Dirk Kuijt is a legend’.

Fotomac is convinced that Fenerbahçe will continue with Kuijt. ‘It was a historic win! Although nothing has been decided yet, there is confidence in Kuijt’, the site states.

After the match Kuijt said he was proud of the meaning the club has for him. He stated: ‘One of the things I learned there is to never give up. Nobody believed in it. What we tried to do today was to bring energy back to the team together.’ ‘I wish Emre much success. It will be great to see the players go to training tomorrow with a positive feeling’, he added.

The joy was also great among the squad. Mason Greenwood said: ‘Even when we were trailing, I felt that we would win. I congratulate Kuijt, the coaching staff, the players and the fans. We knew that in this match we had to fight together and endure.’

Whether there is still a future for Kuijt at Fenerbahçe after Wednesday remains unclear, a new staff may be assembled around Belözoglu. Kuijt said: ‘The chairman gave me the chance to be at this great club. As long as he wants me here, and Emre agrees with that, I will keep going.’