Jose Mourinho suggested it might be time to take a job without European football after the furious Fenerbahce boss was sent off in the Europa League draw with former club Manchester United.
All eyes were on the Portuguese football manager as he led the Turkish giants against the club he led to glory in the 2016-17 edition of the competition during a two-and-a-half year spell in the Old Trafford hotseat.
Mourinho was at his mischievous best on the eve of a match he made headlines on Thursday night after being sent to the stands after Youssef En-Nesyri cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s opener.
Fenerbahce’s fans and their manager expected a penalty for a Manuel Ugarte challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel, but referee Clement Turpin waved away appeals and showed a red card to protesting Mourinho.
Asked about his sending off after the 1-1 draw, the Fenerbahce boss shook his head and told TNT Sports: “I don’t want to speak about it.
“(After the match) the referee told me something incredible. He said at the same time he could see the action in the box and my behaviour on the touchline.
“I congratulate him because he’s absolutely incredible, his peripheral vision during the game, 100 miles per hour, he had one eye on the penalty situation, and he had one eye on the bench and on my behaviour.
“So, that is the explanation he gave me, that’s why he is the one of the best referees in the world!”
Mourinho continued in a similar vein when he arrived at the packed post-match press conference, where he admitted it might be best to soon stop competing in European club competitions.
“I think the best thing I have to do is when I leave Fenerbahce I go to a club that doesn’t play UEFA competitions,” the Fenerbahce manager said.
“So, if any club in England from the bottom of the table needs a coach in two years I am ready to go, and I don’t want to say anything more about it.
“I want to speak about the game. We played absolutely fantastic against a team, in theory, from a superior level. We played fantastic.”
Mourinho said “I don’t think anything” when pushed for his opinion about the penalty decision and laughed off suggestions he could appeal his sending off.
“If I appeal, I will get six months’ ban, so there is nothing to do,” he said. “Since Sevilla-Roma final (in the 2023 Conference League), there is nothing to do. It is what it is.
“That’s why I say if the future is maybe better without European competitions, so I don’t get upset. It is what it is.”
Mourinho’s press conference compared starkly with that of a rather more understated Erik ten Hag, who focused on the positives despite blowing another European lead.
The draw is their third in a row in the new-look Europa League and came a year to the day after United’s last European win against Copenhagen.
“From two tough away games, Porto and Fenerbahce, we take two points, which is a result,” said ten Hag, whose side are placed 21st out of 36 teams in the new-look group phase.
“But of course when you are taking the lead, and especially the way you can see the goal, starting with the free-kick played straight in our block. It shouldn’t happen.
“Then it’s like a simple one cross and a goal. After that and also before that we had chances to make a second goal, so 2-0 up or afterwards 2-1 but we didn’t take our chances.
“I think some great chances. First half, Rashy [Marcus Rashford] was a good chance. The second half also for Rashy, when the final pass then came on the right foot for him.
“That’s of course a pity, and then you are disappointed that you that you don’t win.
“But we have to take the point and at Old Trafford we have to win games.”
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 5 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 6 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 7 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 8 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 9 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 10 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth