Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has explained the reasoning behind the club’s decision to sack Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho was in charge of the Turkish side for just over a year but was dismissed on August 29.
The decision to sack Mourinho came following Fenerbahce’s elimination against Benfica in the Champions League play-off round, with the Portuguese club winning 1-0 on aggregate.
Koc indicated that Mourinho’s defensive style of play and a lack of creativity in the team was a key factor behind his departure.
As reported by Hurriyet, Koc said: ‘Why did we let go of Mourinho? I’m explaining it here for the first time. 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.
‘Above all, it was difficult to part with someone I was friends with. We knew our coach was a defensive player when we brought him in. 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.
Fenerbahce president Ali Koc explained the club’s decision to sack Jose Mourinho
Mourinho was in charge of the Turkish club for just over a year but was dismissed last month
Koc felt Fenerrbahce should have played in a more attacking style under Mourinho
‘Being eliminated by Benfica wasn’t a problem, but the way we were eliminated was unacceptable. This made me feel like last year’s football would continue.
‘We parted ways because we believed this squad would play better football at this point. This kind of football works in Europe, but in Turkey, we have to crush them in most matches. We’re struggling to get ahead after falling behind in every match.’
Mourinho oversaw 62 matches while in charge of Fenerbahce and won 37 of them, drawing 14 and losing 11.
He has enjoyed a lengthy and trophy-laden managerial career that has included stints in charge of Chelsea (twice), Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham and Roma. However, Mourinho wasn’t able to win any silverware while in Turkey.
According to Turkish outlet Spor Arena, Mourinho’s relationship with the board finally broke down after tensions simmered following a disappointing campaign last season.
The outlet claims he became ‘prejudiced’ against local players, having left the likes of Ismail Yuksek and Irfan Can Kahveci on the bench for much of the season.
Fenerbahce, who finished second in the league last season, failed to beat any of the top five teams in the league last campaign, losing to rivals Galatasaray in both the league and the cup, and falling at home and away against Besiktas in the league.
Previously, the club could sell players for high fees every year, but under his management, no player attracted significant interest this summer.
Mourinho also failed to turn any of the players, even ones he specifically asked for, into standout performers.
