Fenerbahce coach José Mourinho has not confirmed whether he will continue with the team next season after the 1-0 home defeat to Besiktas. This defeat leaves Fenerbahce in second place in the Super League, eight points behind the leader, Galatasaray, with four games remaining.
Mourinho arrived at Fenerbahce last summer with a two-year contract, with the aim of leading the club to its first league title in a decade.
I will not speak about the next season. These are things that must be discussed internally and not with the media. If there is something in which I have been absolutely perfect is in my respect for the president of my club, my board of directors, not to bring internal matters to the public.
José Mourinho
Mourinho also declined to comment on Galatasaray, who are on track to win their third consecutive league title.
The former Chelsea coach has spoken throughout the season about the “toxic” atmosphere in the Super League, claiming that Fenerbahce’s main rivals receive special treatment from the referees.
When asked about Galatasaray on Sunday, he replied: “I don’t talk about them. I talk about the championship and I have done so during the season.”
Mourinho has expressed in the past his concern about what he called “a system” deeply rooted in the local league.
I don’t change a single word of what I’ve said during the season. One of the problems Fenerbahce has is precisely the difficulty in dealing mentally with the power of the system. It’s something that is stronger than quality… it’s something really powerful. The players feel it and know that it is completely impossible to achieve what they want to achieve.
José Mourinho
Meanwhile, Mourinho was asked what advice he would give to former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who took over Besiktas in January.
Ole has been here for a few months now. He has enough experience and is intelligent enough to learn what he needs to learn. I am nobody to give him any kind of advice. We have enough experience for him not to be over the moon because he won a derby and for me not to be in hell because I lost a derby. We respect each other. I think we also like each other.
José Mourinho
Mourinho, however, accepted the criticism from Fenerbahce fans after another defeat in the local league derby. Fenerbahce has failed to beat its two major city rivals, Galatasaray and Besiktas, this season.
It’s normal in this culture that when the results are not what people expect, there are reactions. I will never be critical of that. I am open to criticism, it’s part of my life.
José Mourinho
