José Mourinho has once again taken a swipe at Galatasaray, just days before Fenerbahce’s Europa League clash against Rangers. The Portuguese coach, who has never shied away from controversy, has suggested that his recent suspension was the result of more than just on-pitch matters.
“After the derby against Galatasaray, I was suspended for four matches. On the same day, it was revealed that the president of the disciplinary committee was celebrating while wearing a Galatasaray shirt. Ten hours later, my suspension was reduced from four to two games. That should tell you everything about what is happening here,” Mourinho told Sky Sports UK. He then elaborated further in an interview with TNT Sport: “In Turkey, this is not just a football rivalry; it is a system controlled by a single club, which dictates how the league is run. It does not smell right,” he added, laughing. “Fenerbahce is a club that is desperately trying to break Galatasaray’s dominance, but this is not just about footballing superiority – it is about a system that dominates everything. That makes our job extremely difficult. I work for a great club, a transparent and clean one, a club that wants to win and clean up the Turkish league in the right way.”
Looking ahead to Fenerbahce’s Europa League clash against Rangers, Mourinho also shared his thoughts on potential winners of the competition, particularly with the possibility of Roma reaching the quarter-finals. However, he does not appear to rate their chances too highly: “Who will win the cup? You always have to look at the two English clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham, but Athletic is also a top team and will want to play the final at home. There are still some big clubs left in the tournament, so for now, we are only focusing on Rangers. If we reach the quarter-finals, then maybe we can start dreaming a little, but with 16 teams still in the running, the road is very long.”
Mourinho also reflected on his own evolution as a manager, expressing confidence that he has improved over the years. “I have changed for the better. I think I am a better manager than before, with more experience, and now everything feels like déjà vu. I think less about myself and more about others – my players, my staff, and the fans of my club. I feel much better now than I did before. Physically, of course, I have changed, but as a coach, I believe I am better than I ever was.”
