Even José Mourinho hardly got a word in edgewise
Fenerbahçe Istanbul gives José Mourinho a triumphant reception. The Portuguese is set to lead the volatile club, which has recently been at the center of controversy, to its first title since 2014.
Almost nobody caused more of a stir at the Champions League final than José Mourinho. In contrast to previous years, this time he was not in charge of either team on the touchline. Instead, the coach was a guest at the invitation of the British TV channel TNT and used his high-profile appearance in front of the camera primarily for his own benefit: he was heavily promoting his move to Fenerbahçe Istanbul, which was announced the next day. When asked by fellow pundit Rio Ferdinand who his most famous telephone contact was, Mourinho replied in his typical manner: “The president of Fenerbahçe”.
The publicity for his new job in the Turkish league paid off in spades. His arrival on the Bosphorus on Sunday was met with a triumphant reception, as if he had just won the Champions League with his future club. Thousands and thousands of fans attended the 61-year-old's presentation at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium and worshipped him like a football messiah. They barely let him get a word in edgewise and set off fireworks in the stands. Mourinho nodded approvingly and waved two club scarves in the air.
Mourinho's transfer generates as much attention as Mesut Özil once did
With a mixture of charm, self-confidence and quick-wittedness that is hard to resist, Mourinho once again seduced his supporters. He called out to them what they wanted to hear from him: emotional expressions of love. Normally, a coach is only revered after victories, José Mourinho said. But he had the feeling that he was already loved. He also wanted to be the coach of all fans, their dreams were also his and he promised to be part of the club's family from now on. “This shirt is my skin,” he proclaimed pathetically. He held the Fenerbahçe jersey in his hand. A quarter of a million people watched Mourinho's speech on the club's livestream. The sensation was reminiscent of the transfer of the now retired exceptional Turkish-rooted player Mesut Özil from Arsenal FC to Fenerbahçe in 2021.
The historical club is based on the Anatolian side of Istanbul and is the eternal rival of its neighbors Galatasaray and Beşiktaş in Turkish football. The three of them almost always fight it out for the league title. However, Fenerbahçe has recently been left behind in the ongoing duel with Galatasaray for the status of record champions. The last championship to date was in 2014, since when Galatasaray have won five more titles and now lead 24 championships to 19, with Beşiktaş on 16. Last season, Fenerbahçe narrowly lost out to Galatasaray despite leading the table for a long time. Mourinho's commitment therefore seems like a reaction to the results.
Mourinho continues Fenerbahçe's penchant for internationally illustrious coaches
With his previous clubs, FC Porto, Chelsea FC, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United and AS Roma, José Mourinho has consistently won titles, 26 in total, including eight championships and five European Cup victories. He has a reputation for almost guaranteeing success. Only at Tottenham Hotspur did he fail to triumph, where he was sacked just before the League Cup final in April 2021. His stations make it clear that Mourinho is not a coach for a provincial club. He needs the big crowds, as his recents stints at Roma and now at Fenerbahçe demonstrate.
José Mourinho's inaugural speech at his new club Fenerbahçe Istanbul.
It is true that the team around veteran stars Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko is not at the level of the teams that Mourinho has led for most of his career. But the Portuguese, who has lost value at top clubs not least because of his contentious character, has never lost his love for the game. And he is not afraid to play at a slightly lower level as long as the title prospects are right. At Fenerbahçe, José Mourinho continues the club’s penchant for internationally illustrious coaches. Guus Hiddink, Joachim Löw, Christoph Daum, Zico, Luis Aragonés and Dick Advocaat were all employed before him. Many of them only lasted one season, but he is not deterred by the short length of stay: Mourinho knows what it is like to be sacked at some point, only at Porto and Inter did he move on of his own accord.
Fenerbahçe had a vote on leaving the league
Fenerbahçe is notorious for its volatile environment and is repeatedly at the center of controversy. The club usually sees itself as a victim and criticizes the association in drastic terms. The situation escalated in the spring when its own squad was attacked by opposing fans during a pitch storm and the club boycotted the Super Cup final shortly afterwards due to disagreements over the choice of date. Fenerbahçe's president, Ali Koc, who comes from one of Turkey's richest families and is notoriously critical of the establishment, called an extraordinary meeting to decide whether to leave the league. The vote failed.
The presence of José Mourinho means that Turkish football is now set for one of the most interesting seasons in years. Although he did not want to make any title promises, the coach believes that his involvement will certainly increase the attractiveness and reach of the league in Europe. If necessary, he will probably continue to promote it.