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Tensions are escalating within Turkish football club Fenerbahce as criticism and resignation calls mount against club president Ali Koc and head coach Jose Mourinho following a recent derby loss against Besiktas. While Koc has publicly backed Mourinho, reports suggest a group within the board wants to move on from the Portuguese manager.
According to local media, two new names are being discussed in case of a change—one foreign, one Turkish. The foreign candidate is the Türkiye national team coach Vincenzo Montella, while the local option is former Besiktas manager Sergen Yalcin.
Fenerbahce has struggled in key moments this season. With four matches left in the Super Lig, they trail rivals Galatasaray by eight points. Hopes of winning the league are fading.
The club also exited European competition after losing to Rangers and has underperformed in derby matches. These setbacks have led to frustration among fans, who recently called for both Koc and the board to resign. According to Turkish media, a group on Fenerbahce's board is losing faith in Mourinho.
Mourinho has reportedly received offers from Saudi Arabia. If he chooses to leave on his own, he would not seek a compensation fee.
Despite Koc’s support, internal disagreements and disappointing results have raised serious doubts about the club’s direction.
Jose Mourinho took charge of Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023 with high expectations from both fans and management. Known for his experience and success in European football, Mourinho was seen as a figure who could restore Fenerbahce’s dominance in Turkish football and deliver trophies.
However, his time at the club has so far fallen short of those hopes. In the Turkish Super Lig, Fenerbahce is currently in second place, trailing leaders Galatasaray by eight points with only four games remaining. While the team has shown moments of strong performance, critical losses, particularly in derby matches, have severely damaged their title chances.
Perhaps most damaging to his standing have been the poor results in high-pressure matches, especially against traditional rivals like Galatasaray and Besiktas. These performances have caused a significant drop in fan confidence, and led to internal divisions within the club’s board about whether to continue with Mourinho.
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