*Fenerbahçe Dismiss The Former ‘Special One’
José Mourinho was dismissed today, August 29, as head coach of Fenerbahçe following the club’s painful elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Portugal’s Benfica.
The former Real Madrid manager departs after one year and two months in charge and will receive approximately $15 million (about N23bn) in compensation for the early termination of his contract.
In recent days, the Portuguese coach had publicly criticized the club’s board over the lack of reinforcements. The early Champions League exit against Benfica accelerated the decision announced today.
“Our time with José Mourinho, who served as head coach of our first team since the 2024–25 season, has come to an end. We thank him for his work with our club and wish him success in his future career,” read Fenerbahçe’s official statement today.
Mourinho’s stint in the Turkish Süper Lig lasted just over a year. He took charge last summer with the goal of returning Fenerbahçe to the Champions League, an objective that ultimately went unfulfilled, costing him his job. His two-year contract guarantees him close to $15 million in severance.
During his tenure, Mourinho oversaw 62 matches, recording 37 wins, 14 draws, and 11 defeats.
He departs Turkey without securing any silverware, leaving behind a disappointing final image marked by the Champions League elimination, which now alters both the sporting and financial outlook of the club.
Breakdown With the Board
According to the Turkish sports press, Mourinho’s relationship with the club’s management had soured during the summer transfer window, with the former Madrid boss openly criticizing the lack of signings.
“If the Champions League was vital for my club, something would have been done in the transfer market,” he said before the return leg against Benfica. “I don’t think Fenerbahçe even has a transfer list,” he added.
Those remarks, along with earlier criticisms of both the board and the players, were described as “the last straw,” leading the directors to unanimously agree on his dismissal, according to Turkish media.
The newspaper Hürriyet noted today that Fenerbahçe’s Champions League elimination is not only a sporting setback but also a significant financial blow.
Had the club qualified, it would have secured nearly €19 million in participation bonuses, plus around €9 million from coefficient rankings and broadcasting rights.
The loss of those revenues, the paper stressed, could now force the club to consider selling players.
