Nose grabs, red cards and laptop drama: Jose Mourinho's memorable moments as Fenerbahce manager following sacking from Turkish Super Lig side
Published 29/08/2025 at 16:57 GMT+1
Jose Mourinho's spell in Turkey has come to an end, with the 62-year-old being sacked by Fenerbahce after they failed to qualify for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese manager was in charge in Istanbul for little over a year, but there was certainly no shortage of drama. TNT Sports looks at the most memorable moments during Mourinho's latest managerial stint.
Watch in full as Mourinho takes aim at ref in astonishing post-match interview
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Fenerbahce after an eventful 15 months in charge of the Turkish Super Lig side.
The 62-year-old guided Fenerbahce to a second-placed finish last season, but after failing to qualify for the league phase of this year's UEFA Champions League, the club have opted for a change of face in the dugout.
TNT Sports takes a look at how 'The Special One' left his mark in Turkey, with his most memorable and controversial moments while in charge in Istanbul.
Mourinho shows offside decision to TV cameras
During a game against Antalyaspor in September last year, Mourinho was unhappy with an offside decision that went against his side.
So much so that he placed a laptop, showing a still image of the offside, in front of a pitchside television camera.
The Portuguese manager picked up a yellow card for his troubles.
Mourinho hints at Premier League return after Man Utd red card
With former side Manchester United in town last October, Mourinho was unsurprisingly the centre of attention throughout.
Following a typically animated touchline display, he was sent off by French referee Clement Turpin in the second half after leading his side's claims for a spot-kick.
After a VAR check backed up Turpin’s original decision, the official came to the technical area to tell Mourinho to leave, and - eventually - he moved to the steps at the front of the stand next to the dugouts.
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Speaking afterwards, Mourinho said: "Best thing I can do is to go to a team who does not play in UEFA competitions.
"So a club at the bottom in England who needs a coach in two years, I am ready to go. I don’t want to speak any more about it."
Discussing the referee, he said: "He told me something incredible. He told me at the same time he could see the action in the box and my behaviour on the touchline. I congratulate him because it is absolutely incredible."
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Mourinho Cam: Follow every move of box-office Fenerbahce boss during remarkable Man Utd clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Controversial comments following Galatasaray clash
Following a goalless draw against Galatasaray in February, Fenerbahce's rivals said they would "initiate criminal proceedings" against Mourinho, after accusing him of making "racist statements".
It came after the 62-year-old accused the Galatasaray coaches of "jumping like monkeys" as they tried to get a decision in their favour.
Mourinho denied the allegations, saying he is the "opposite" of being racist and filed a lawsuit against the club seeking damages worth 1,907,000 Turkish Lira (£41,000).
Mourinho told Sky Sports News: "They were not clever in the way they attacked me, because they didn’t know my past.
"They didn’t know my connections with Africa, with African people and African players and African charities."
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Jose Mourinho on the touchline against Galatasaray
Image credit: Getty Images
Banned and fined for refereeing comments
Mourinho often criticised the officiating in Turkey, and following the clash against Galatasaray in February, he was handed a four-match ban and a £32,000 fine for his comments about referees.
The game had been officiated by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic in an attempt to reduce any claims of bias from either side.
Speaking after the match, Mourinho said that "if a Turkish ref had refereed this match, it would have been a disaster".
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Mourinho complains to a referee
Image credit: Getty Images
Mourinho slams 'arrogant' referee after Rangers loss
Mourinho launched a scathing attack on the referee Espen Eskas after Fenerbahce were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League by Rangers on penalties in March.
The Portuguese manager said Eskas was "arrogant" and suggested decisions had gone against him since he received a four-match ban in the 2023 Europa League final while AS Roma's manager.
"The referee and the VAR decided that we should go to penalties," he said. "The fourth official was a nice guy; he was not arrogant like the referee."
Mourinho added: "In relation to me, the only thing that I hope is that everything that has happened to my team since day one this season is not a consequence of the Budapest final. I hope that it is just random."
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Mourinho insists Fenerbahce ‘best team by far’, ref decided game had to go to penalties
Video credit: TNT Sports
Grabbing Buruk's nose following Intercontinental Derby
Following a typically fiery match against Galatasaray in April, which Fenerbahce lost 2-1, Mourinho escalated tensions further at full-time by grabbing the nose of his opposite number, Okan Buruk.
Buruk theatrically dropped to the floor before Mourinho was ushered away from the scene and shown a red card by referee Cihan Aydin.
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