José Mourinho Leaves Fenerbahçe Following Champions League Exit To Benfica

José Mourinho has parted ways with Turkish club Fenerbahçe, just two days after their Champions League play-off defeat to Benfica.

The 62-year-old Portuguese coach joined Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2024, six months after being dismissed by Roma, and led the team to a runner-up finish last season.

During his tenure, Mourinho failed to secure any trophies, with the club exiting the Turkish Cup in the quarter-finals and falling to Rangers in the Europa League round of 16 last season.

Fenerbahçe’s hopes of Champions League football ended after a 1-0 loss to Benfica in the second leg on Wednesday, following a 0-0 draw in Istanbul the previous week. A first-half goal from former Galatasaray star Kerem Akturkoglu sealed their Europa League fate for the upcoming season.

Before the match, Fenerbahçe vice-president Hamdi Akin confidently predicted his team would “easily” defeat Benfica. Responding to the comments, Mourinho appeared dismissive, saying: “Believe it or not, but I don’t know who he is. I don’t know this person, nor his influence, let alone his importance in the structure of the club. No one has ever introduced me.”

Mourinho’s departure marks another chapter in the Portuguese manager’s high-profile coaching career, which includes stints at Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma.