Jose Mourinho has been announced as the new manager of Fenerbahce.
The Turkish Super League club confirmed on Saturday that they had begun negotiations with the former Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager.
Fenerbahce later posted a video of Mourinho on their social media channels, saying: “Merhaba (Hello) Fenerbahce fans, see you tomorrow in Kadikoy and let’s start the journey together.”
More than 200,000 people watched his unveiling on YouTube after Fenerbahce broadcast the event online.
“I want to thank you all for your love. Usually a manager is loved after he wins. In this case I feel loved before the victory. For me it’s a big responsibility,” Mourinho said.
“I promise you that from this moment on, I am part of your family. This shirt is my skin. Football is passion and there is no better place to feel that passion than here.”
“From the moment I met you, chairman, I wanted to play for you because you are the soul of the football club. I want to be the coach of all of you.”
“I want to work in Turkish football. I want to contribute to the Turkish league. But what matters most to me is Fenerbahce.”
“From the moment we sign the contract, your dream becomes my dream.”
(Ali Atmaca/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The 61-year-old has been out of football since being sacked by Roma in January and will replace Ismail Kartal, who was in his third stint as Fenerbahce manager.
Despite finishing the season with 99 points and losing just one of their 38 league games, Fenerbahce missed out on this season’s title after being defeated by city rivals Galatasaray.
They have not won the Turkish Super League since 2014 and their only major win in the past decade was the Turkish Cup in 2023.
Mourinho won 26 trophies in a managerial career spanning more than two decades, including Champions League triumphs with Porto and Inter Milan as well as league titles with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
His last job was with Roma, leading the Italian club to their first European title since 1961 in the Europa Conference League in 2022.
The following season they lost to Sevilla on penalties in the Europa League final.
The job will be Mourinho’s first outside Europe’s top five leagues since managing Porto from 2002-2004.
Going deeper
Mourinho, Roma and his unexpected dismissal
(Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
