Fenerbahce confirm Spalletti ‘was first choice’ and why Mourinho was fired | OneFootball

Fenerbahce President Ali Koc confirmed Luciano Spalletti was their ‘first choice’ and turned them down, explaining also why he sacked Jose Mourinho.

The Turkish team is without a tactician right now after sacking former Inter and Roma boss Mourinho, a costly operation to terminate the contract.

They are still seeking a replacement, looking through names including ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou and former Italy CT Spalletti.

Speaking to the media today, Fenerbahce President Ali Koc confirmed the reporting that they had approached Spalletti, but the Italian was not interested.

Why Spalletti refused Fenerbahce job

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Italy, reacts during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Spalletti was our first choice, but he has decided not to work as a coach this season,” confessed the club chief.

“Due to the large number of foreign players in our team, we feel that the coach ought to be someone foreign with European experience. We’re in contact with several options and will announce our new coach very soon.”

Spalletti had been fired by Italy in June, after a dismal EURO 2024 campaign and dire start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

He was replaced by Gennaro Gattuso, who made his debut with Friday’s 5-0 victory over Estonia.

New coach of Turkish club Fenerbahce Jose Mourinho holds the jerseys of the club during the presentation to the supporters at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on June 2, 2024.  (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Ali Koc also explained why the split with Mourinho became inevitable after their Champions League play-off defeat to Benfica.

“It was a bitter separation. We had great chemistry, his accomplishments are evident, and just being able to bring him here was a great achievement.

“It was difficult to part with someone I was friends with. We knew the coach would play defensively, but at the end of the season, we had discussed the need to take more of an initiative.

“The elimination to Benfica wasn’t so much the problem as the way we were eliminated. It made me feel last season’s approach would continue.

“We parted with Mourinho because we believed this team would be playing better football at this point. This kind of football might work in Europe, but in Turkey, we have to crush most opponents, not struggle to take the lead.”