Fenerbahçe SK has officially parted ways with Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, ending his tenure as head coach just over a year after his appointment.
The announcement, made on Friday morning, follows a disappointing 1-0 aggregate defeat to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, dashing the club’s hopes of reaching the competition’s league phase.
The decision marks the second high-profile managerial exit in Istanbul this week, with Beşiktaş also sacking former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær on Thursday after a UEFA Europa Conference League loss.
A Brief but Eventful Tenure
Mourinho, appointed on June 1, 2024, arrived at Fenerbahçe with high expectations, heralded as a transformative figure for a club desperate to end a decade-long Turkish Süper Lig title drought.
His unveiling at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium was met with fanfare, with supporters hopeful that the two-time Champions League winner would deliver domestic and European success.
Over 62 matches across all competitions, Mourinho secured 37 wins, 14 draws, and 11 losses, averaging 2.02 points per game.
Despite guiding Fenerbahçe to a second-place finish in the 2024-25 Süper Lig, 11 points behind rivals Galatasaray, the season was trophyless, with early exits in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals and the Europa League round of 16 to Rangers.
Mourinho’s time in Istanbul was marked by his characteristic flair for controversy.
His outspoken criticism of Turkish referees led to a one-match ban and fines after a 3-2 win over Trabzonspor, while a heated 0-0 draw with Galatasaray in February 2025 sparked accusations of racist remarks from the rival club, which Mourinho denied, filing a countersuit.
A physical altercation with Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk in April, where Mourinho grabbed Buruk’s nose after a 2-1 Turkish Cup loss, resulted in a three-match ban and further strained relations.
These incidents, coupled with his comments questioning the squad’s morale before the Benfica clash, reportedly frustrated the club’s hierarchy.
Solskjær’s Beşiktaş Stint Ends Abruptly
On August 28, 2025, Beşiktaş announced the termination of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s contract after a shock 1-0 home loss to Lausanne-Sport in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off second leg, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate defeat.
Solskjær, who took charge in January 2025, had guided Beşiktaş to a fourth-placed finish in the 2024-25 Süper Lig, including notable derby wins over Galatasaray (2-1) and Fenerbahçe (1-0).
However, the failure to secure European football for the 2025-26 season proved fatal. The club’s 39-word statement confirmed the decision was made after a board meeting, with chairman Serdal Adalı thanking Solskjær for his services.
What’s Next for Fenerbahçe and Mourinho?
Fenerbahçe’s statement was brief but gracious: “We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who has served as our head coach since the 2024-2025 season. We thank him for his efforts and wish him success in his future career.”
The club now faces the urgent task of appointing a new manager to lead them in the Europa League and challenge Galatasaray’s domestic dominance.
Club president Ali Y. Koç, who had previously expressed a desire for stability with Mourinho, must navigate a critical juncture as Fenerbahçe’s stock rose 6% following the announcement, reflecting fan and investor anticipation for change.
Mourinho, 62, is already being linked with a return to England, with Nottingham Forest cited as a potential destination due to reported tensions between their current manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, and owner Evangelos Marinakis.
The Portuguese tactician, who has managed 10 clubs, including Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, remains a polarizing figure.
His departure from Fenerbahçe, following a pattern of short stints at Roma and Tottenham, underscores the challenges of translating his storied reputation into sustained success in modern football’s high-pressure landscape.
