Ex-Sporting man sacked over Benfica links, farewell leaves a bitter taste | OneFootball

The President of Fenerbahçe explained, for the first time, the reasons for the dismissal of José Mourinho from the Turkish emblem, and revealed that the decision came after the tie with Benfica, counting for the Champions League play-off, which the Turks lost with an aggregate of 1-0.

"Being eliminated by Benfica was not a problem, but the way we were eliminated was unacceptable. It made me realize that last season's [defensive] football was going to continue", began Ali Koc, president of Fenerbahçe, who since 2018 has already dismissed 10 coaches, without winning any championship.

The maximum leader of the Turkish emblem continued: "He was fired because I believe that, at this moment, the team should already be playing better football. His formula works in Europe, but in Turkey we have to 'crush' the opponents in most games. It's hard to evolve if we're always chasing losses".

"We knew he was a defensive coach, but getting 99 points and 99 goals is our DNA", Ali Koç fired back, about the dismissal of José Mourinho, who had arrived at Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2024, and achieved second place in the last edition of the Turkish championship.

"The farewell was bitter. Our chemistry was perfect. It's hard to separate from someone you were friends with", confessed, in conclusion, Ali Koç, about the coach who, in the 62 games he led Fenerbahçe, won 37, drew 14 and lost 11, a record insufficient to convince Ali Koç.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.