Fenerbahce announces Jose Mourinho as new coach

Madrid,UPDATED: Jun 2, 2024 17:27 IST

Former Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho will be officially unveiled as the new head coach of Fenerbahce Football Club later today, the club announced. After days of speculation, Fenerbahce confirmed via a post on the social media platform X early Sunday that Mourinho would be introduced at a ceremony at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. The announcement read, "Saracoglu is waiting for its new coach Jose Mourinho and its great fans at 19.00!"

Mourinho, renowned for his successful stints with clubs such as Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, will be tasked with leading Fenerbahce to their first league title since the 2013-14 season. Despite a strong title challenge, Fenerbahce fell short this season, finishing second to rivals Galatasaray, who won the league by three points. Six crucial draws were detrimental to Fenerbahce's title aspirations.

In a video message posted by the club on Saturday night, Mourinho, 61, addressed the fans, stating, "See you tomorrow in Kadikoy and let's start our journey together." This move marks Mourinho's return to management after he departed from Roma in January, where he spent two and a half years, winning the Europa Conference League in 2022 and engaging in several high-profile disputes with referees.

Mourinho's appointment represents his first managerial role outside the top five European leagues since 2004 when he left Porto for Chelsea after winning the Champions League. His storied career has seen him accumulate numerous trophies and also court significant controversy both on and off the field.

Fenerbahce's recent season was marred by a tight title race and conflicts with Turkish football authorities, including a notable incident where the team walked off the field in protest during the Turkish Super Cup game. Mourinho's extensive experience and track record of success will be pivotal as he aims to restore Fenerbahce to their former glory and reclaim domestic supremacy from Galatasaray. The unveiling ceremony will be a significant event for Fenerbahce fans, eager to welcome Mourinho and begin a new chapter under his leadership.