Jose Mourinho’s stint in Turkey has been cut short, with Fenerbahçe confirming his dismissal after the team’s Champions League elimination.
In an official statement, the club said: “We have decided to part ways with Jose Mourinho, who has managed our first team since the 2024-2025 season. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his career.”
The move comes in the wake of a costly defeat to Benfica in the play-off round, which dashed Fenerbahçe’s hopes of reaching Europe’s top competition. Despite the setback, Mourinho was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the superiority of his opponents.
“I don’t believe in excuses. The victory went to a team that was stronger, had better players, and greater experience than us,” Mourinho reflected after the match. He remained optimistic about the club’s prospects in Europe’s second-tier tournament, adding: “In the Europa League, we will compete for the trophy.”
Still, his time at the club was shadowed by internal strain. The Portuguese coach had openly criticized the board’s lack of transfer activity, warning that the squad was under-equipped for the challenges ahead. Those tensions, combined with failure on the Champions League stage, ultimately sealed his fate.
Mourinho’s Turkish adventure, though brief, carried the hallmarks of his fiery personality—straight-talking, passionate, and always under the spotlight. Now, attention shifts to his next move, with speculation already swirling about where the “Special One” will reappear.