Fenerbahçe dismisses José Mourinho after European exit
In a stunning surprise that rocked Turkish sports circles, Fenerbahçe officially announced on Friday, August 29, 2025, the dismissal of the renowned Portuguese coach José Mourinho from his position as manager of the first team, just one season after taking charge.
The club’s statement, posted on their official account on X, noted:
“We would like to thank Mr. José Mourinho, who coached the first team during the 2024-2025 season, for his efforts, and we wish him success in his future career.”
This decision followed Fenerbahçe’s elimination from the qualifying rounds for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, after a goalless draw in the first leg and a 1-0 loss in the second leg against Portuguese club Benfica. This failure to qualify forced the team to settle for participation in this season’s UEFA Europa League, which the club’s management viewed as an unacceptable shortcoming.
European exit was not the sole reason behind “the Special One’s” departure; Mourinho’s recent comments further fueled tensions and expedited his exit.
Thus, Mourinho’s tenure with Fenerbahçe concludes dramatically, as fans had hoped for him to lead the team to continental glory. The lingering question remains: where will Mourinho head next after this brief and tumultuous chapter? Will he encounter similar conflicts with club management as seen in his past experiences? The coming days will tell.
