Fenerbahçe have parted ways with head coach José Mourinho, just over a year after his high-profile arrival in Istanbul, the Turkish club confirmed on Friday. The dismissal comes two days after the team’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League playoff round by Portuguese side Benfica.
In an official statement, the club said:
“We have parted ways with José Mourinho, who served as head coach of our professional A team since the 2024–2025 season. We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career.”
Mourinho, 62, joined Fenerbahçe in June 2024 amid great fanfare, bringing with him a résumé that includes stints at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Roma. However, his tenure in Turkey fell short of expectations.
He guided the Yellow Canaries to a second-place finish in the Süper Lig last season, behind arch-rivals Galatasaray, extending the club’s long-running title drought. His time at the club was also marked by controversy and disciplinary issues.
In April, Mourinho made headlines after grabbing the face of Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk in a heated Turkish Cup quarterfinal clash. He also faced a fine for post-match comments criticizing officiating in another fiery derby, with authorities deeming his remarks “contrary to sporting ethics.”
Mourinho’s final game in charge was Tuesday’s defeat to Benfica, ending the club’s hopes of returning to the Champions League group stage.
The club has not yet announced a successor.
