Liverpool hero appointed interim Fenerbahce boss a week before sides meet in Champions League
The 46-year-old Dutchman, who had been serving as assistant manager, took over after Ismail Kartal stepped down following Monday's 2-1 derby loss to fierce rivals Galatasaray. Fenerbahce confirmed Kuyt would remain in the role "until a new head coach is appointed".
His first match in charge will be a league fixture against Goztepe on Saturday, followed by the visit of Liverpool on Wednesday, November 4. During his time at Anfield, Kuyt netted 71 goals in 285 appearances and won the League Cup in 2012.
The former Netherlands international later moved to Fenerbahce, where he spent three years and helped the side clinch the Turkish league championship in the 2013-14 campaign. After departing Istanbul, he returned to his homeland with Feyenoord before hanging up his boots in 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Fenerbahce's number two in June 2026, Kuyt had built up coaching experience across spells at ADO Den Haag, Belgian outfit Beerschot, and FC Dordrecht. Kartal's departure this week was not his first attempt to leave the post.
The manager had also offered his resignation back in September, though the club refused to accept it on that occasion. Kuyt inherits a squad sitting fifth in the Turkish top flight, trailing bitter rivals and league leaders Galatasaray by six points.
Liverpool will travel to face Kuyt's side in a week's time, but have to play tough contests against Chelsea in the League Cup and Arsenal this weekend. The Reds are bidding for a quarter-final spot against the Blues, who enter the game after losing to Tottenham at home over the weekend.
Liverpool come into the game on the back of a brilliant 2-0 win over Brighton last weekend, with boss Andoni Iraola acknowledging his side's strong form but recognising there is still work to do. He said: "It is not to gain the confidence.
I said it since the first day, you have to earn the right to belong and you only get it with good performances, with wins, and this will take time. But I am glad because I felt the other day the supporters helped us a lot, and they were enjoying it the same as we were.
I would say a start - still we need more wins, we need more performances so we need more time." Florian Wirtz is expected to be fit after his ankle problem, but winger Victor Munoz and Dominik Szoboszlai remain doubtful.