Despite the myriad drawbacks of social media, including feelings of isolation and the unavoidable presence of figures like Elon Musk, we are grateful for its existence primarily for tracking Jose Mourinho’s tenure in Turkey.
Mourinho’s arrival at Fenerbahce this summer marked not just a distancing from the zenith of European football, but also an intriguing fusion of a volatile club with a fiery manager.
The union has proven to be quite eventful; the two-time Champions League victor received a red card in his debut match in the Turkish Super Lig and faced a yellow card in another game due to showcasing a screenshot of a disputed offside call against his team.
Nevertheless, his remarkable ability to cultivate a siege mentality among players and fans remains unparalleled, leading to frenzied celebrations following Fenerbahce’s thrilling 3-2 win over Trabzonspor.
In a back-and-forth match, the stakes heightened until the 12th minute of stoppage time when Sofyan Amrabat scored the decisive goal, leading to chaos on the field.
Mourinho spearheaded the rush of players, coaches, and staff onto the pitch, feigning a move toward a colleague before charging into the thick of the celebration.
However, gravity, paired with a youthful impulse to get his trousers dirty, prompted the 61-year-old to slide onto the pitch in a manner reminiscent of a child at a school dance.
While Mourinho possesses many qualities, athleticism is not one of them in this later stage of life. With no momentum, he attempted to salvage the situation by executing a forward roll.
Fortunately, his team’s exuberance helped redirect attention, as they piled onto their manager. Quite the save.
🟡🔵 Fenerbahçe Teknik Direktörü Jose Mourinho’nun galibiyet golünün ardından yaşadığı sevinç! | #TSvFB #beINSPORTS pic.twitter.com/pkv2KBwMkX
— beIN SPORTS Türkiye (@beINSPORTS_TR) November 3, 2024
With this recent win, Fenerbahce climbed to third place in the league, sitting eight points behind leaders Galatasaray—a sign that not everything has gone smoothly for Mourinho thus far.
After a Europa League draw against Manchester United, coupled with his red card, the former Premier League coach remarked to reporters that his next role will likely be at an English club not participating in European competitions.
“I made a joke,” he mentioned in an interview with Sky Sports. “I’m not going to a team fighting relegation. I will never go.
“I get frustrated, and I’m not at a point in my career where I want to feel that way. I want to be happy all the time and, at this moment in European competitions, I find myself upset constantly.
“But I’m not going to struggle against relegation. That’s too tough! Honestly, I reckon it’s the most challenging job. It surpasses competing for titles. It must be emotionally taxing since it’s a matter that can change lives.
“I respect the brave individuals who take on that challenge.”
For fans nostalgic for Mourinho’s distinctive blend of conflict and theatrics, the Portuguese manager did not dismiss the possibility of a Premier League return down the line.
“I have worked at three clubs in England, spanning four different periods, and I truly love it. From a social perspective, I’ve been fortunate to live in numerous cities, but my family resides in London.
“London is home for me, so I hope to return someday—unless no one wants me back. But eventually, I would like to go back.
“However, let’s be clear: for the next two years, this season and the next, nobody will take me from Fenerbahce.”
Mourinho’s exuberance following the Trabzonspor match exemplifies that his motivation and drive have not diminished over the years.
“I cannot allow myself to lose that passion and desire, because if I do, it’s better to stop,” he stated in the same Sky Sports interview.
“I remember going with Real Madrid to Old Trafford for a significant Champions League match, and Sir Alex invited me to his office before the game.
“We were looking at each other, seemingly calm—but we were NOT calm—and I asked him, ‘Sir Alex, do you change with age? Does your feeling change after all these years?’ He replied, ‘No! It doesn’t change.’
“It remains the same. Those feelings endure, and I view that as a positive thing.”
For Mourinho, it’s beneficial that he maintains such fervor, and for us, it’s delightful that he channels these emotions in endlessly entertaining ways.
We sincerely hope that Mourinho’s delightful antics will continue to be a staple of our weekend scrolling for many years to come.
Image Source: Ettore Griffoni / Shutterstock
