Jose Mourinho leaves Fenerbahce after Champions League qualification failure | OneFootball

Another major managerial change in Istanbul after Ole Gunner Solskjaer sacked by Besiktas

The Turkish club announced the news on Friday morning, just two days after they missed out on qualification for this season’s Champions League.

Fenerbahce were beaten 1-0 away by Benfica on Wednesday night in their play-off round second-leg decider and will play in this season’s Europa League instead.

That has led to the departure of Mourinho, who leaves after just over a year in the job.

“We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who has been the manager of our Professional Football A Team since the 2024-2025 season,” read an official statement from Fenerbahce.

“We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career.”

Mourinho was hired by Fenerbahce in June 2024 to replace Ismail Kartal and his appointment was hugely popular with the club’s fans.

“Normally a coach is loved after victories,” said Mourinho at the time. “In this case I feel that I am loved before the victories.

“That is a big responsibility that I feel. I promise you from this moment, I belong to your family. This shirt is my skin.”

Mourinho had a mixed first season in charge, with Fenerbahce finishing second in the Turkish Super Lig behind arch-rivals Galatasaray.

In Europe, like this season, they were knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying rounds after losing to Lille.

Fenerbahce ended up making it to the last 16 of the Europa League, but were beaten on penalties by Rangers.

Mourinho is the second high-profile managerial exit in Istanbul this week, with Besiktas axing former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Thursday.