Fatih Tekke resigns live on television after Trabzonspor’s 4-0 European collapse

Fatih Tekke announced his resignation as Trabzonspor manager live on television after the Turkish club suffered a heavy defeat by Ferencvarosi and were eliminated from the Europa League.

The club had already lost the first leg 1-0 at home, in front of their own supporters, before their hopes of reaching the competition’s main stage were ended by a 4-0 defeat in Thursday’s second leg.

The result marked a painful European setback for Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah, who plays for Trabzonspor, and prompted Tekke to step down after 18 months in charge.

Speaking after the match, Tekke said: “From this moment, I am resigning from the position I have held for 18 months. I feel that I have the right to punish myself.”

He added: “I am resigning from a position that I was greatly honoured to hold. The defeat is unacceptable. Misfortune and bad circumstances can be accepted, but I cannot accept this. I cannot even sleep like this. Everyone, please forgive me. We did everything we could.”

Tekke said the match had appeared to be going in a positive direction until a red card changed the contest.

“It was a very sad night,” he said. “Of course, the reason is me and my team. It was a sad night for our country and for our community as well. The match seemed positive until the red card. In the end, we failed to qualify for the Europa League.”

The manager described the defeat as one of the matches that can cause lasting pain.

“There are some matches that really hurt,” Tekke said. “We have just gone through one of them. Nothing goes beyond fate. Unfortunately, I am stepping down from a position that I felt greatly honoured to hold.”

Tekke also said he was struggling to come to terms with the result and insisted that a decision had to be made.

“I cannot even sleep with this on my conscience. A decision has to be made,” he said. “Our community exaggerates such matters. Although I know Trabzonspor will become better, the club will continue its journey in Europe.”

In an unexpected revelation, Tekke admitted that he had not yet told the club’s board about his decision before making the announcement on television.

“I have not told the management about my resignation,” he said. “I am saying this for the first time on television. Nobody knows. Only those watching this broadcast know.”

Tekke’s announcement came after Trabzonspor were beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Ferencvarosi. Their European campaign had started with the narrow home defeat, but the scale of Thursday’s loss made the exit particularly damaging for the Turkish club.

The resignation brings an abrupt end to Tekke’s 18-month spell at Trabzonspor. Despite the disappointment, he said the club would continue competing in Europe and expressed confidence that the team would improve.