Mourinho Parts Ways with Fenerbahce Following Champions League Qualification Setback

Jose Mourinho has departed his role as head coach of Fenerbahce, the Turkish club confirmed on Friday, just two days after missing out on qualification for this season’s Champions League.

Fenerbahce lost 1-0 away to Benfica on Wednesday night in the second-leg play-off decider, meaning the team will compete in this season’s Europa League instead. Mourinho leaves after just over a year in charge.

“We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who has been the manager of our Professional Football A Team since the 2024-2025 season,” Fenerbahce said in an official statement. “We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career.”

Mourinho was appointed in June 2024, replacing Ismail Kartal, in a move that was widely celebrated by the club’s supporters. At the time, he said: “Normally a coach is loved after victories. In this case I feel that I am loved before the victories. That is a big responsibility that I feel. I promise you from this moment, I belong to your family. This shirt is my skin.”

During his first season in charge, Mourinho experienced mixed results. Fenerbahce finished second in the Turkish Super Lig behind arch-rivals Galatasaray. In European competitions, they were eliminated from the Champions League qualifying rounds after a defeat to Lille.

The team did reach the last 16 of the Europa League but were knocked out on penalties by Rangers.

Mourinho is the second high-profile managerial departure in Istanbul this week, following Besiktas’ decision to sack former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Thursday.

Faridah Abdulkadiri 

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