İsmail Kartal (born 15 June 1961), colloquially known by the given nickname "Arap İsmail" due to his tanned skin,[1] is a Turkish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Kartal played eleven seasons in the Turkish Süper Lig.

[2] After his retirement, he started his management career and coached Karabükspor, Sivasspor, Mardinspor, Altay, Malatyaspor, Orduspor and Konya Anadolu Selçukspor.

He led Sivasspor to win TFF First League title for the first time in club's history.

[12][13][14] In his first match in charge, he led Persepolis to a 2-0 victory over league leaders Tractor, despite his team being reduced to 10 men.