Mourinho’s Sudden Exit from Fenerbahce Raises Questions Amidst Besiktas’ Shocking Solskjaer Dismissal

Jose Mourinho’s stint as head coach of Fenerbahce has come to an unexpected halt, casting a shadow over the Turkish club’s ambitions in European football. Since taking charge in June 2024, after parting ways with Roma, Mourinho steered the team to a respectable second-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig. Yet, coming up 11 points short of champions Galatasaray, and falling at crucial junctures — from the Turkish Cup quarter-finals to a penalty shootout defeat by Rangers in the Europa League — the campaign was riddled with “almosts.” The latest blow? A narrow 1-0 aggregate loss to Benfica, which dashed any hopes of entering the Champions League group stage and ultimately led to Mourinho’s departure. For a manager of his caliber, this marks only his second major tenure without silverware since stepping onto the scene in 2002 — a stark reminder of how unforgiving football really is. And as turmoil brews in the Turkish Super Lig, it’s not just Mourinho facing the axe, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also losing his job at Besiktas after European hopes slipped away. The winds of change are blowing harshly across Istanbul’s footballing giants, and the question remains — what’s next for these fallen giants of the dugout? LEARN MORE

Jose Mourinho has left his role as Fenerbahce head coach following their failure to qualify for the league phase of the Champions League.

Mourinho joined the Istanbul giants in June 2024, having been sacked by Roma earlier that year.

He oversaw a second-placed finish in the Turkish Super Lig last campaign, though Fenerbahce finished 11 points behind champions Galatasaray.

They also lost to their fierce rivals in the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup and exited the Europa League in the last 16, losing on penalties to Rangers.

Fenerbahce also failed to navigate the Champions League qualifiers in 2024-25, and it was a similar story this week, as they were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Benfica in the play-off round.

They have now failed to reach the group or league phase of UEFA’s premier club competition since 2008-09, and their latest near miss has cost Mourinho his job.

A club statement said: “Our first team’s technical director, Jose Mourinho, who has been carrying out his duties starting from the 2024-2025 season, has parted ways with us.

“We thank him for his efforts for our team until today and wish him success in his future career.”

Fenerbahce are just the second club Mourinho has failed to win a major trophy with since he joined Porto in 2002, having also failed to bring silverware to Tottenham.

FT | Benfica 1-0 Fenerbahçe pic.twitter.com/X4qafOj6E8

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) August 27, 2025

Mourinho is not the only former Manchester United boss to lose his job at a Turkish Super Lig club this week, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked by Besiktas.

Solskjaer only joined Besiktas in January and led them to a fourth-placed finish last season, but they will not feature in Europe this term after losing in the Conference League play-offs.

Immediately after a 1-0 home defeat to Swiss side Lausanne-Sport on Thursday, which confirmed a 2-1 aggregate loss, Besiktas announced Solskjaer’s contract had been terminated.

They said: “Our contract with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been terminated following a decision made at a board meeting.

“Following the meeting, our chairman, Serdal Adali, thanked Solskjaer for his services to date.”