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Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands in the moments leading up to his shock post-match resignation on Thursday night.
Kartal, a former Fenerbahce player himself, stunned his players when he announced to the media after his side's 1-1 Champions League draw at home to Roma that he was stepping down immediately.
The 65-year-old, who returned to Fenerbahce for his fourth spell in charge of the team in June, was targeted by fans behind the dugout.
In his post-match news conference, he told reporters that he plans never to return to the club he previously served as a player and assistant coach.
He departs with the team sitting ninth in the Turkish Super Lig following two wins and two defeats, and after only one Champions League match.
'I have been here three months. From the beginning of the season until today, the training sessions and camps we held with the players, and the efforts of our president, have been very helpful. Those were wonderful days,' Kartal said.
Kartal, who returned to Fenerbahce for his fourth spell in charge of the team in June, was targeted by fans behind the dugout during Thursday's Champions League match against Roma
Kartal then stunned his players when he announced in his post-match press conference he was stepping down
'As of this evening, I congratulate my players and resign from my position.
'I made this decision to pave the way for my club. We made this decision together as a team.
'From now on, to help Fenerbahce, my players and future coaches, I have resigned from my position, with the intention of never returning.'
His announcement caught both club officials and his squad off guard, with Thursday night's goalscorer Archie Brown left stunned.
The 24-year-old, who has represented England at Under 20 level, said: 'What do you mean he resigned? As coach? He's not the coach any more? He said this just now? I didn't know about this.'
Club president Aziz Yildirim, meanwhile, has not accepted Kartal's resignation.
'Ismail Kartal is still in charge. The club should support our coach. Until I leave, Ismail Kartal is the coach of Fenerbahce,' he said in a statement released on the club website.
Yildirim criticised the attitude of the club's supporters and the media, arguing that 'instead of applauding' the side's achievement of reaching its first Champions League in 18 years, positive analysis is being 'buried'.
'We say Fenerbahce fans are crying, children are sad. Aren't the children happy now? They come to the matches wearing their jerseys, Fenerbahce fans come, everyone comes. But you've demonized this. You've tainted the success,' he said.
🚨🏴 This is the moment Fenerbahçe player Archie Brown was told that Ismail Kartal resigned from his position as coach! 🎙️
"What do you mean he resigned? What? As coach? I didn't know about this." 😳 pic.twitter.com/Iq8hZO7pDE
'Fenerbahce fans should protect the values of their club; not just the players, coaches, and managers, but the values of the entire community. Those who comment on television are demonising things. They're driving people away from the club or forcing them to resign.'
Yildirim confirmed he spoke to Kartal following the news conference, with the coach citing the 'bottle incident' as well as the 'pressure' of the role.
He added: 'This community should support Ismail Kartal. You can't show support by throwing punches at him like this.
'Ismail Kartal doesn't need to say he'll continue. I am his senior. I said he'll continue, and that's it. We're a family.'
A club statement added that the individual responsible for throwing the bottle had been identified, their statement taken following instructions from Istanbul prosecutors, and a stadium ban issued.
Kartal won the Turkish Super Cup in 2014 during his first spell as manager, having previously spent four years as an assistant coach. As a player, he won two league titles among six trophies with the club.
