Jose Mourinho set for Fenerbahce on a two-year deal

• He is making a return to coaching
• He was sacked by AS Roma early this year
• He has signed a two-year deal with Fenerbahce

Jose Mourinho recently signed a two-year deal with Fenerbahce, returning to his coaching role after he was sacked by AS Roma early this month.

His managerial journey started in Portugal at Benfica before moving to FC Porto. He won the Primeira Liga twice, the Taca de Portugal and the UEFA Champions League in 2024, the club’s first European title in over a decade.

The Champions League triumph at Portal set a record for him and England was calling, making his move to Chelsea. During his tenure at the club, he led them to their first Premier League title in 50 years in his first season and in the next year, another League title followed.

He had two stints at Chelsea and during that period, the coach acquired three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four League Cups and one Community Shield. He left Chelsea and embarked on another challenge at Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

He returned to Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur where he won several club trophies. His recent and last managerial role was at AS Roma which ended early this year.

A recent rumor states that he has signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahce, another new challenge awaiting him.

Mourinho’s two-year contract at Fenerbahce

The manager recently signed a two-year contract at Fenerbahce, this signifying commitment from both sides, the club and Mourinho. This comes a few months after he was sacked at AS Roma where he served as the head coach for one and a half years.

Jose Mourinho. Photo/Sky Sports

While he helped Roma deliver a European trophy at the Europa Conference League, their performance in Serie A fell short leading to his dismissal.

Fenerbahce has been working under interim manager Ismail Kartal who succeeded Victor Pereira after his departure in December 2023.

Mourinho departure from AS Roma

Despite delivering a European trophy at the Europa Conference League in 2022, their performance in Serie A was not productive. For this reason, he was dismissed by the club in January 2024.

At the time of his departure, the team was in ninth place which is a distance from the Champions League qualification spots. Some injuries limited the squad from giving their best.

There were also disagreements between him and the club’s management regarding transfer policy and resource allocation. So his dismissal was not basically about the performance of his team but rather several unfolding issues.

Reasons for Fenerbahce interest in Mourinho

Mourinho is a manager who is known all over the world for having a proven track record of winning trophies with some of the top clubs like Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. In this case, Fenerbahce is looking for a manager who can replicate his past success in their club, and thus the role suits him.

Jose Mourinho. Photo/Eurosport

Under manager Victor Pereira, the club managed to finish second in the Super Ligue last season but their ambition is to win the league and compete in Europe. His experience is applicable here since he has vast experience in handling the pressure of managing big clubs in European tournaments.

This is also a new challenge for him after managing in the top European Leagues and getting a chance to do so in Turkey’s Super Ligue might offer him a chance to prove himself in a new league adding another chapter to the already existing managerial story.

Mourinho play style

The manager is known for giving priority to defensive solidity and organization to his teams which are well drilled in their defense, making it hard for their opponents to break them down. By doing this, he ensures that they control the midfield and limit the opponents creativity.

On winning possession, he focuses on launching swift counter attacks by utilizing wingers and creative midfielders to exploit spaces left behind by the opponents when they push forward. Despite having his preference in defense, he can also adapt his tactics based on the opponents and his players strengths. He is also a master of motivating his players and helping them deliver their best.