Jose Mourinho has parted ways with Fenerbahce after the Turkish club failed once again to qualify for the Champions League. The 62-year-old Portuguese coach, who took charge in June 2024, saw his side fall 1-0 on aggregate to Benfica in the playoff round earlier this week, extending Fenerbahce’s absence from Europe’s top competition to 17 seasons.

Mourinho’s tenure in Istanbul proved turbulent. Though he guided the club to a second-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season, they ended 11 points adrift of arch-rivals Galatasaray. Cup disappointment followed with a quarter-final defeat to Galatasaray in the Turkish Cup and a Europa League exit on penalties to Rangers. Off the pitch, Mourinho made headlines for his clashes, including a touchline altercation with Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk that earned him a ban.

A club statement confirmed his exit: “We thank him for his efforts for our team and wish him success in his future career.” Fenerbahce now becomes only the second club Mourinho has left without winning a trophy, after Tottenham.

Mourinho’s departure comes in the same week that another former Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was sacked by Besiktas after their Conference League elimination to Lausanne-Sport.