Jose Mourinho has been dismissed by Fenerbahce only six games into the season after a damaging Champions League exit and a breakdown in relations with the board.
The Portuguese coach was removed from his post following Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Benfica in the play-off round which denied the Istanbul club a place in the group stage. Fenerbahce confirmed the decision with a short statement thanking Mourinho for his efforts and wishing him well in his future career.
Appointed in May 2024 on a two year contract, the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss had been expected to lead the Turkish giants back to the summit of domestic and European competition. Instead his tenure has ended in frustration. He finished last season without a trophy as Fenerbahce trailed Galatasaray in the league and fell short in both the Turkish Cup and Europa League.
Mourinho’s relationship with the hierarchy had already soured during the summer transfer window. He criticised what he saw as a lack of planning ahead of the crucial qualifiers against Feyenoord and Benfica. His remarks that the club did not appear to have a transfer list were received poorly by directors.
Board members have since accused him of distorting facts, insisting they repeatedly asked him for specific signings. They claim Milan Skriniar was the only name he pushed for, despite the arrivals of Nelson Semedo and John Duran. The club felt these reinforcements were sufficient to compete while Mourinho disagreed.
President Ali Koc had previously met Mourinho in London during the summer to discuss parting ways after just one season. That plan was delayed but tensions quickly resurfaced once the campaign began. With the team sitting seventh in the league on four points from two matches, patience ran out.
The dismissal marks the end of Mourinho’s eleventh managerial job. His exit comes a day after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also sacked in Turkey, leaving Besiktas after their own European elimination. Both men are once again free agents at a time when pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford following Manchester United’s embarrassing League Cup defeat to Grimsby Town.
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