New Fenerbahce manager, Jose Mourinho, expressed his excitement about joining the Turkish club during his official unveiling on Sunday, June 2. Mourinho received a warm welcome in Istanbul, with Fenerbahce fans celebrating the arrival of one of football’s most renowned coaches.
The streets of Istanbul were filled with fans holding placards, setting off firecrackers, and waving flags to mark the occasion. The 61-year-old Portuguese coach, who has been without a job since January 2024 after being dismissed by AS Roma due to a string of poor performances, has now taken on the challenge of leading Fenerbahce.
Mourinho takes over from 62-year-old İsmail Kartal, who guided the team to a second-place finish in the league, just three points behind rivals Galatasaray. There are rumors of a clause in Mourinho’s contract allowing him to leave if a bigger club approaches, but he emphasized his commitment to Fenerbahce.
“I feel incredibly welcomed and loved, even before achieving any victories here,” Mourinho said. “This is a significant responsibility, and I promise that from now on, I am part of your family. This shirt is my skin.”