Fenerbahce sack José Mourinho after Champions League exit proves decisive | OneFootball

Fenerbahce has relieved José Mourinho from his duties as head coach of the first team. The decision comes in the wake of the disappointing elimination in the Champions League qualifiers against Benfica, a result that effectively compromised the technical project entrusted to the Special One.

Fenerbahce, José Mourinho dismissed: decisive Champions League elimination

Mourinho arrived in Istanbul on July 1, 2024, after his tenure at Roma. In just over a year, he accumulated 62 matches, but failed to win any titles. The previous season ended with a second place in the Super Lig and a journey halted in the Europa League round of 16, but the club's expectations were much higher.

The failure to qualify for the top European competition, which the Special One hasn't participated in since the 2019/2020 season (when he was leading Tottenham), was the definitive breaking point. According to the Turkish press, Mourinho will receive a severance package of about 15 million euros.

Tensions in Turkey: controversies and suspensions

Mourinho's season in Turkey was marked not only by fluctuating results but also by controversial incidents. Among the most discussed:

the physical altercation with Okan Buruk, coach of Galatasaray, at the end of a Turkish Cup match;

the four-match suspension for remarks deemed racist and insults directed at the fourth official;

a legal case for moral damages filed against Galatasaray after accusations, later dismissed, of statements taken out of context.

These events contributed to straining relations with the Turkish football environment, already tense due to club rivalries.

The official statement from Fenerbahce

The club released a concise note: «We have parted ways with José Mourinho, coach of our team since the 2024-2025 season. We thank him for his dedication and wish him success in his future career».

An extraordinary board meeting is scheduled for the afternoon to evaluate possible replacements.

What future for Mourinho?

After the end of his stint at Fenerbahce, Mourinho's future is uncertain. The Portuguese coach hasn't won a European trophy since 2022, with the Conference League victory while leading Roma, and hasn't participated in the Champions League for five seasons. With his name still carrying international allure, it remains to be seen whether the next step will be another challenge in Europe or an adventure far from the Old Continent.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.