Jose Mourinho Denies Leaving Fenerbahce To Train The Portugal National Team

JAKARTA - Fenerbahce's manager, Jose Mourinho, has denied reports that he has held talks with the executives of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to become manager of the Portugal National Team.

Reports in Turkey claim that Mourinho will leave Fenerbahce at the end of the season and replace Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, after the UEFA Nations League final in June 2025.

Mourinho, who joined Fenerbahce on a two-year contract last summer, has yet to confirm whether he will continue in Turkey next season.

"Yes, I can deny that I have met with the Portuguese Football Federation. I am a loyal person."

"The only time I had direct contact with the club was I told Fenerbahce. It wasn't now, it was January 2025."

"I have met the club (who was not named). I did not accept the offer. However, I have informed my club even before the meeting," said Mourinho.

Fenerbahce president Ali Koc recently revealed that Mourinho had accepted an offer of 36 million euros in the middle of the season to leave Fenerbahce but rejected it.

Meanwhile, Mourinho satirized city rival Galatasaray, who won the third consecutive Super Lig (Super Turkey League) title on Sunday, May 18, 2025, with two games remaining.

Galatasaray won 3-0 over Kayserispor to maintain an eight-point lead over Fenerbahce.

Mourinho felt inappropriate at the end of the match for Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to take a penalty and convert him to start celebrating the team title.

"In connection with Galatasaray's way of celebrating the title, I think when you celebrate something gray, it shows your humane dimension."

"They celebrate the title with an episode that reflects what they are when they win 2-0 and (later) goalkeeper (Muslera) take a penalty in the 90th minute."

"I think it's a perfect picture of who they are," said Mourinho.

Mourinho is critical of Turkey's referee standards throughout the season and claims that Galatasaray received special treatment from the referee.

"On the pitch, we didn't lose the title. We didn't make it, but it was a competition when you finished second. You know you are the second league champion because there is one league and then there is another league."

"But no, I'm not happy, I can do better. We can do better. So, I'm obviously not happy," said the former Chelsea manager.

Fenerbahce won 2-1 against Eyupspor on Sunday, May 18, 2025, and has guaranteed finishing in second place.