Jose Mourinho Sacked by Fenerbahce After Another Champions League Elimination
- Jose Mourinho, formerly of Chelsea and Manchester united, has parted ways with Turkish giants Fenerbahce
- Fenerbahce have issued an official statement confirming that the Portuguese manager has been relieved of his duties
- The Turkish club lost 1-0 on aggregate to Benfica in the Champions League qualifiers, and their board have taken swift and decisive action
Jose Mourinho has officially left Turkish side Fenerbahce.
The 62-year-old departs just two days after their Champions League elimination at the hands of Benfica.
Mourinho, who previously managed Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, had taken charge of the Istanbul club in the summer of 2024, only months after his Roma dismissal.
Source: Getty Images
The two-time Champions League winner guided Fenerbahce to a second-place finish in the league last season, but he was unable to deliver any trophies.
His side crashed out in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals and suffered a Europa League round of 16 exit to Rangers.
The final setback came on Wednesday, August 27, when a 1-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League play-off second leg, after a goalless draw in Istanbul, ended their campaign.
In response, Fenerbahce confirmed Mourinho’s dismissal, with the board moving quickly after the aggregate loss to the Portuguese side.
Why Fenerbahce sacked Jose Mourinho
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano announced on X that the 62-year-old’s time in Istanbul has officially come to an end.
He reported that Mourinho was dismissed after failing to guide Fenerbahce into the Champions League group stage.
"BREAKING: Fenerbahçe part ways with José Mourinho as Portuguese head coach won’t continue at the club. The decision has been made after missing on qualification to Champions League."
Mourinho’s exit comes just days after Fenerbahce’s hopes of reaching the Champions League group stage were dashed by a play-off defeat to Benfica, forcing them into the Europa League instead.
Domestically, the Istanbul club sit seventh in the 2025/26 Turkish Super Lig, still unbeaten after two games.
They opened with a goalless draw against Goztepe before bouncing back with a 3-1 victory over Kocaelispor, results that briefly suggested Mourinho and his staff were finding momentum.
Source: Getty Images
Premier League clubs linked with Mourinho
Per Sports Mole, Mourinho departs Fenerbahce with a record of 37 wins, 14 draws, and 11 defeats from 62 matches, marking the end of his 11th managerial spell.
Attention now shifts to his next move, with speculation over a potential return to the Premier League already building.
Nottingham Forest have been linked as they weigh Nuno Espirito Santo’s future, while West Ham could become an option if Graham Potter fails to spark a revival.
Mourinho’s ties to London, where he owns property, may also make such a move appealing.
Beyond club football, another shock reunion with Manchester United cannot be ruled out if Ruben Amorim’s struggles continue, while international teams preparing for the 2026 World Cup may also see Mourinho as a high-profile candidate.
For now, the two-time Champions League winner with 1,195 matches and 26 trophies under his belt is likely to keep his options open.
Mourinho snubs Dembele and Yamal for Ballon d'Or
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Jose Mourinho had no doubt when he was asked who should win the Ballon d'Or and it's neither Ousmane Dembele, nor Lamine Yamal.
Source: YEN.com.gh
