Jose Mourinho has left his role as Fenerbahce manager after just over a year. The Portuguese’s departure comes two days after the Turkish club were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.
Fenerbahce in a statement said Mourinho had “parted ways” with the club, before thanking the 62-year-old for his efforts.
“We wish him success in his future career,” the statement added.
Mourinho, who has managed 10 clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, guided Fenerbahce to second in the league during his sole season in charge, but his tenure was punctuated by controversy.
José Mourinho reacts during the UEFA Champions League Play Off 2nd Leg match between SL Benfica and Fenerbahçe. (Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Champions Galatasaray said they would “initiate criminal proceedings” against Mourinho, after accusing him of making “racist statements” following a 0-0 draw in February.
Mourinho denied the allegations, saying he is the “opposite” of racist, and filed a lawsuit against the club seeking damages worth 1,907,000 Turkish Lira (£41,000).
Mourinho was a frequent critic of the standard of officiating in Turkey, and was handed a four-match ban – later reduced to two matches – for his comments about referees after the match against Galatasaray.
The Portuguese had moved to Fenerbahce after spending three years in Serie A with AS Roma, where he won the Conference League in 2022.
The 62-year-old Portuguese has recently been linked with a move to Premier League side Nottingham Forest after their current manager, Mourinho’s compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo, said that his relationship with the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis had “changed.”
Undoubtedly one of the best football managers, Mourinho has so far won the Champions League twice, the UEFA Cup, Europa League and Conference League once each, four Premier League titles, two Scudettos, one Liga and a host of other domestic cup competitions.
