Turkey’s Fenerbahce has dismissed Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho just two days after the club’s elimination from the Champions League playoffs at the hands of Benfica.
The decision was announced in a statement released on Friday.
Mourinho’s departure came swiftly after domestic rivals Besiktas also parted company with another former Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Besiktas suffered elimination on Thursday, losing to Swiss side Lausanne and failing to qualify for the UEFA Conference League phase.
In its announcement, Fenerbahce confirmed the end of Mourinho’s tenure, saying: “We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who served as head coach of our professional A team since the 2024-2025 season. We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career.”
The 62-year-old coach, who previously managed Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Roma, took charge of Fenerbahce in June 2024. Under his leadership, the Istanbul club finished second in the Turkish Super Lig last season, behind arch-rivals Galatasaray.
Mourinho’s arrival was marked by excitement, with fans welcoming the self-styled “Special One” in a rockstar-like reception. At the time, he declared: “No promises. But it is obvious that the main target, the main dream is to win the Turkish Super Lig.” However, he was unable to deliver on that ambition, leaving the club’s league title drought — stretching back to 2014 — unbroken.
His stint in Istanbul was not without controversy. In April, following a Turkish Cup quarter-final defeat to Galatasaray, he grabbed the face of their coach Okan Buruk and tweaked his nose, an incident that drew criticism. He was also fined for remarks made after another heated derby, where he accused referees of bias, comments that were deemed “contrary to sporting ethics.”
Despite amassing 37 wins, 14 draws and 11 defeats during his spell at the club, Mourinho frequently voiced frustrations over the limitations of his squad. In recent weeks, his tone during press conferences reflected a sense of disillusionment as he lamented the challenges he faced.
What you should know
Jose Mourinho’s dismissal from Fenerbahce ends a turbulent 14-month tenure that began with high hopes but concluded with disappointment.
The two-time Champions League winner, once celebrated as the “Special One,” leaves Istanbul without fulfilling his promise of a league title, further extending Fenerbahce’s decade-long wait for domestic glory.
