New Delhi: Jose Murhinho’s stint in Turkey has come to an abrupt end as the Portuguese manager parted ways with Fenerbahce. He left the charge just over a year after taking charge, with the decision coming days after the club’s Champions League exit.
The 62-year-old’s departure was confirmed in a short statement by Fenerbahce, who thanked Mourinho for his work and wished him well in his future career. The exit follows Wednesday’s play-off defeat to Benfica, where Fenerbahce lost 1-0 on aggregate in a tie that ended their hopes of reaching Europe’s elite competition.
Mourinho had arrived in Istanbul with much fanfare and was expected to bring his trademark edge to a side desperate to challenge Galatasaray’s domestic dominance. While his team pushed hard but still finished second in the Super Lig last season, marked with controversies both on and off the pitch overshadowed his tenure.
KAMUOYUNUN BİLGİSİNE
Profesyonel Futbol A Takımımızın 2024-2025 sezonundan itibaren teknik direktörlük görevini yürüten Jose Mourinho ile yollarımız ayrılmıştır. Kendisine bugüne kadar takımımız için verdiği emekler için teşekkür eder, gelecek kariyerinde başarılar dileriz.… pic.twitter.com/7MpkzNhEN4
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) August 29, 2025
The former Manchester United manager often found himself in the headlines in Turkey. His comments about referring earned him a four-match suspension, later cut down to two. In February tensions peaked when Galatasaray accused him of making racist remarks after a heated 0-0 draw. February when Galatasaray accused him of making racist remarks after a heated 0-0 draw. Mourinho denied the claims outright and even filed a countersuit seeking damages, insisting he was “the opposite” of racist.
Despite all the issues, his record on the pitch wasn’t poor. In 62 games with Fenerbahce, Mourinho won 37 and drew 14, boasting a win rate close to 60 percent. Yet falling short of Champions League football proved costly.
Solskjaer also sacked
Mourinho is not the only former Man United manager to be dismissed in Turkey this week. Just hours after his exit, Besiktas also announced that they had parted ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the Conference League defeat to Lausanne-Sport.
Mourinho and Solskjaer both enjoyed moments a successful career with the Red Devils. Mourinho lifted the Europa League and Carabao Cup in 2017 while Solskjaer guided the club to a Europa League final in 2021. Their departures at the same time underline the brutal reality of management where results dictate everything.
What next?
For Mourinho whose career has already spanned across 10 clubs will now turn to where his next challenge lies. He has never been short of suitors but this latest chapter in Turkey has ended far earlier than he would have hoped.