Fenerbahçe SK has officially announced that José Mourinho will no longer serve as the club’s first-team manager, wishing him success in his future endeavors .
Mourinho, 62, took charge of Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2024. His dismissal comes in the wake of the club’s 0-1 aggregate defeat to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League playoff round on August 28, which proved to be the final straw for the Portuguese tactician .
The decision to part ways with Mourinho was precipitated by a combination of factors. While the Champions League elimination was the immediate trigger, tensions had been building due to his public criticism of the club’s transfer strategy and strained relations with management, including a pre-match press conference remark where he claimed not to recognize the club’s vice president . Despite early-season domestic success, including a second-place finish in the Süper Lig last season, the failure to secure European football’s top-tier competition sealed his fate .
Fenerbahçe’s official statement emphasized gratitude for Mourinho’s contributions during his tenure but made clear that the club felt a change was necessary to align with its objectives. The announcement marks the end of a tumultuous 14-month spell for Mourinho in Istanbul, during which he guided the team to domestic competitiveness but fell short of European aspirations .
This development adds another chapter to Mourinho’s career, which has seen him win two Champions League titles but also face recent challenges in maintaining prolonged success at clubs. Fenerbahçe’s next steps will likely involve appointing an interim manager before the Süper Lig resumes, with the club now set to compete in the UEFA Europa League instead of the Champions League .
