Fenerbahce have both confirmed the hiring of José Mourinho as the club’s new manager, posting a video of the Portuguese boss welcoming fans to an event on Sunday.
“See you tomorrow in Kadıköy, let’s start the journey together,” Mourinho said in the short clip posted to X on Saturday, as the club invited fans to an event will be held at their stadium on Sunday evening.
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Earlier on Saturday, Mourinho said he wanted to become Fenerbahce’s new head coach after the Turkish Super Lig club previously confirmed that talks were underway.
“No, not yet. I’ve decided I want to go but it’s not done yet. I can’t officially confirm yet, but yes, I want to go,” Mourinho told Sky Sports when asked about reports linking him with the Fenerbahce job.
Dünyanın En Büyük Spor Kulübünün Büyük Taraftarı!
Planlarınız iptal olduysa yani planı paylaşıyoruz. 😌🙃
2 Haziran Pazar saat 19:00 on stadımızda buluşuyoruz!💛💙 pic.twitter.com/jPOcSnzpZL
– Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) June 1, 2024
Mourinho, who has been in charge of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, is set to take over the team who sit second in the Super Lig – three points behind champions and rivals Istanbul Galatasaray.
If appointed, Mourinho would replace Turkish boss Ismail Kartal, who lost just one match in the league, but six draws proved costly in the title race.
“[Reaching the Champions League groups stages will be] difficult because we have three rounds left to qualify and in Fenerbahce’s case, eight players are in the Euros and they won’t be in pre-season before the first round [of matches]”, Mourinho said. “It’s difficult. But if I go, you know that I like a challenge. So if I go, we will fight to qualify for the Champions League.”
Mourinho was asked on TNT Sport’s Champions League final broadcast whether he planned to take the Istanbul job, saying: “Maybe I will travel tomorrow.”
Earlier on Saturday, Fenerbahce confirmed that they were in talks to bring the Portuguese coach to the club.
“Negotiations have begun with José Mario Dos Santos Mourinho Felix for the position of coach,” the club said in a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP).
Mourinho, who won many titles with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid And Manchester Unitedwill be tasked with helping Fenerbahce win their first league title since the 2013–14 season.
The 61-year-old also helped Roma win their first European trophy when they won the third-tier Europa Conference League in 2022, while he also led them to the Europa League final the following year, but to lose. Seville about punishment.
But he was fired in January this year when Roma ranked 9th on the rankings. Serie A. He was replaced by former Italy player Daniele De Rossi and Roma eventually finished sixth to qualify for the Europa League.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report
