Fenerbahce has entered into negotiations with Jose Mourinho for their head coach position. The 61-year-old Portuguese manager has been available since being dismissed by Roma in January. The Istanbul-based club disclosed the negotiations on the public disclosure platform KAP, in compliance with legal requirements to inform investors.
Fenerbahce recently parted ways with former head coach Ismail Kartal, despite his team amassing an impressive 99 points in the league last season. However, they finished three points behind their city rivals Galatasaray. The club’s official statement read, “Our company has started negotiations with Jose Mario Dos Santos Mourinho Felix for the post of Football A team coach. It is announced with respect to our investors.”
If the negotiations are successful, Mourinho will be tasked with leading Fenerbahce to their first Super Lig title since the 2013-14 season. Mourinho brings a wealth of experience and a decorated resume, having won eight league titles across four countries: three with Chelsea in England, two with Inter Milan in Italy, two with Porto in Portugal, and one with Real Madrid in Spain. Additionally, he has secured five major European trophies, including the Champions League with both Inter and Porto and the Europa League with Manchester United.
Mourinho’s most recent triumph was with Roma in 2022, when he led them to victory in the Europa Conference League, marking the club’s first European trophy. He also guided Roma to the Europa League final the following season, where they were narrowly defeated by Sevilla on penalties. Mourinho was succeeded by Daniele De Rossi in January after Roma’s disappointing ninth-place standing in Serie A, although the team eventually finished sixth under De Rossi’s leadership.
Mourinho is scheduled to appear as a pundit on TNT Sports for the Champions League final coverage on Saturday. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce, the record 28-time Turkish champions, have finished as runners-up in the past three seasons. Kartal’s squad, despite losing only once and drawing six matches, could not prevent Galatasaray from securing consecutive titles.
If Mourinho accepts the role, he will be aiming to break this cycle and restore Fenerbahce to the pinnacle of Turkish football.
