Jose Mourinho’s tenure as Fenerbahce manager has come to an abrupt end with the Portuguese coach being sacked just six games into the new season.
The final straw for Mourinho proved to be Fenerbahce’s defeat to Benfica on Wednesday night, which saw the Turkish club fail to qualify for the Champions League group phase.
A statement on Fenerbahce’s X account on Friday reads: “Our Professional Football team has parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who has been serving as head coach since the 2024-2025 season”.
Mourinho’s relationship with the Fenerbahce board had been tense during the summer transfer window, with the former Manchester United boss criticizing the club’s strategy.
Before the play-off second leg with Benfica, Mourinho said: “If the Champions League was vital to my club, something would have been done with the transfer window between Feyenoord and Benfica. I don’t think Fenerbahce has a transfer list.”
PThis quote is believed to have been the “final straw” with the board, which unanimously decided to send Mourinho on his way.
In his only full season at Fenerbahce, Mourinho failed to bring home any silverware, finishing second to bitter rivals Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig.
They were also knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup and couldn’t get past the round of 16 in the Europa League.
Despite bringing in new signings like Nelson Semedo and former Aston Villa starlet John Duran, the moves were not enough to satisfy Mourinho.
The news of Mourinho’s sacking comes just one day after fellow former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Besiktas.
With both managers now available, speculation is rife about their potential future.
It’s possible that they may be on their former employers’ radar once again, especially with pressure ramping up on Ruben Amorim after Manchester United’s humiliating defeat to League Two Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round.
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