Mourinho leaves Fenerbahce after Champions League playoff exit

José Mourinho has left his role at Fenerbahçe after the Istanbul club confirmed on Friday that the 62 year old coach had been dismissed following the team's elimination from this season's Champions League qualifiers. The club said in a brief statement that "our Professional Football 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."

Fenerbahçe were knocked out by Benfica in the Champions League playoff round, a defeat that ensured the Turkish side will continue in the Europa League rather than the Champions League group phase. Match reports said Benfica prevailed 1-0 in the decisive fixture on Wednesday and progressed on a 1-0 aggregate score. The loss ends Fenerbahçe's long wait to re-enter Europe's top club competition; the club have not reached the Champions League group stage since 2008–09.

Mourinho, who took charge in June 2024 after leaving Roma earlier that year, guided Fenerbahçe to second place in the Turkish Super Lig last season but narrowly missed silverware. The club also...