Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has publicly disclosed for the first time the circumstances surrounding Jose Mourinho's dismissal on 29 August, citing the Portuguese manager's defensive approach as a primary concern.
Speaking to Turkish media outlet Hurriyet, Koc revealed that whilst the Champions League elimination to Benfica was not inherently problematic, the manner of the exit proved decisive in the board's thinking.
The Turkish club fell to a 1-0 aggregate defeat in the play-off round, with Koc suggesting the performance reinforced concerns about Mourinho's tactical philosophy conflicting with Fenerbahce's traditional attacking identity.
Koc stated: "Why did we let go of Mourinho? I'm explaining it here for the first time.
Jose Mourinho was axed after Fenerbahce failed to qualify for the Champions League
|REUTERS
"It was a bitter parting. Our chemistry was perfect, and his accomplishments are evident. Just being able to bring him here was a great achievement."
The Fenerbahce president emphasised the club's attacking heritage, explaining: "We knew our coach was a defensive player when we brought him in.
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"But we talked about the need to play more dominantly at the end of the season. Earning 99 goals and 99 points is our genetic code."
He added: "Being eliminated by Benfica wasn't a problem, but the way we were eliminated was unacceptable."
During his tenure at Fenerbahce, Mourinho managed 62 matches, securing 37 victories whilst drawing 14 and suffering 11 defeats.
Turkish outlet Spor Arena reported that the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager developed what they described as prejudices towards Turkish players, regularly benching domestic talents including Ismail Yuksek and Irfan Can Kahveci.
Turkish media also highlighted serious disputes between Mourinho and Koc regarding tactical approaches, squad development and recruitment strategies.
The Portuguese coach publicly expressed frustration before the Benfica return leg, criticising what he perceived as the club's inadequate preparation for Champions League competition and delays in securing his transfer targets.
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Jose Mourinho regularly lashed out at the Turkish media during his time in charge of Fenerbahce
| ReutersFenerbahce's struggles against domestic rivals proved particularly damaging, with the team failing to defeat any of the league's top five clubs last season.
The Istanbul giants suffered defeats to arch-rivals Galatasaray in both league and cup competitions, whilst also losing home and away fixtures against Besiktas.
Under Mourinho's management, the club's ability to generate transfer revenue diminished significantly, with no players attracting substantial offers during the summer window.
Despite specifically requesting certain signings, Mourinho failed to develop any of his acquisitions into standout performers, further straining his relationship with the board before his eventual departure.
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