Jose Mourinho has left Turkish giants Fenerbahce just over a year after taking charge, with the Portuguese coach immediately tipped for a sensational return to Manchester United.
The 62-year-old’s departure was confirmed on Wednesday, a day after Fenerbahce’s Champions League exit at the hands of Benfica in the play-off round.
A club statement read: “Our Professional Football First Team’s technical director, Jose Mourinho, who has been carrying out his duties starting from the 2024-2025 season, has parted ways with us. We thank him for his efforts and wish him success in his future career.”
Mourinho joined Fenerbahce in the summer of 2024 following his dismissal from Roma, guiding the Istanbul side to a second-place Super Lig finish last season.
However, he failed to deliver silverware, exiting the Turkish Cup in the quarter-finals and falling to Rangers in the Europa League round of 16.
This week’s 1-0 defeat to Benfica in Lisbon, following a goalless draw in Istanbul, proved the final blow, ending Fenerbahce’s Champions League hopes and Mourinho’s tenure.
His exit has quickly fuelled speculation about his next destination, with Old Trafford among the possibilities. Under-pressure Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has faced scrutiny after a poor start, prompting supporters to suggest Mourinho could make a dramatic return.
The former Chelsea, United, and Tottenham manager previously hinted he might be open to another Premier League spell. “The best thing I have to do is, when I leave Fenerbahce, I go to a club that doesn’t play UEFA competitions,” Mourinho joked last year.
“So if any club in England, from the bottom of the table, needs a coach in two years, I am ready to go.”
While said in jest, many United fans have reignited calls for Mourinho’s comeback, with one writing on social media, “So Mourinho is going back to Man Utd, innit?”
