Ilie Datcu has died at 89
Ilie Datcu has died at 89 (1). The Romanian goalkeeper and later coach is one of the names this club is built on.
Fenerbahçe won 3 league titles, 1 Turkish Cup, 1 Presidential Cup, 1 Prime Minister's Cup and 2 TSYD Cups with Datcu in the yellow and navy shirt. The club said it plainly: "Datcu has taken his place among the unforgettable names in our club's history. May God have mercy on him; our condolences to his family, his loved ones and our community" (1).
Datcu kept goal for this club. He also coached here. That is 89 years of a life spent largely in Turkish football.
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Kartal offered his resignation, the president said no
Fenerbahçe drew 1–1 with Roma, and İsmail Kartal tried to walk (2). He offered his resignation after the match. The president refused it (2).
So the man in charge stays, for now, with the club sitting 6th on 10 points from 6 games and a goal difference of +10. The form line reads W L D D W, and the W at the end is the 8–0 against Eyupspor on September 20.
Kartal is preparing for Caykur Rizespor away on Saturday, October 10 at 18:00 CEST.
Greenwood got a warning
Mason Greenwood was sent off in a friendly against Turan Tovuz during the international break. Red card, friendly, still not fine.
Kartal pulled him aside on the return from Azerbaijan and told him to control his temper (5). That is the manager's line on discipline, and Greenwood now knows exactly where it sits.
Kerem still cannot find the goal
Kerem Aktürkoğlu has not had the start to this season he wanted in front of goal. Same story as last year, and the pattern is repeating (4).
When your winger is not scoring, the whole attack feels it. Fenerbahçe have scored plenty in some games and nothing in others, and Kerem's numbers are part of why.
January is already on the table
Fenerbahçe are working the winter market. Ethan Mbappé, 23, has been offered to the club through agents, and his Lille contract runs out at the end of the season (2) (3).
Christian Pulisic is on the January list at Milan, with Brahim Diaz named as the alternative to replace Talisca (9). Diaz is short on minutes at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, and Fenerbahçe are described as preparing a move in January (6).
The club have also asked about the terms for two Premier League players (7) (10). No names on those two yet.
Kartal is using AI now
Kartal has signed with a data analysis company that works with artificial intelligence. He is now studying Fenerbahçe's own performances and the opposition in far more detail (8).
What comes next
Caykur Rizespor away on Saturday, October 10 at 18:00 CEST. Then Aston Villa away in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 14 at 21:00 CEST. Then Alanyaspor at home on Saturday, October 17 at 18:00 CEST.
