Luciano Spalletti is among the coaches under consideration to take over at Fenerbahçe following José Mourinho’s departure, with the choice likely to hinge on the club’s September presidential election.
Fenerbahçe parted company with Mourinho on 29 August, two days after a Champions League play-off defeat to Benfica. The club confirmed the decision in a statement, with multiple international outlets reporting the exit.
Attention has since turned to successors. Former Italy coach Spalletti, who left the Azzurri job in June, has been named in Italian and international reports as a candidate for the Istanbul post.
Sérgio Conceição is also a leading contender. Presidential candidate Sadettin Saran has publicly stated he would appoint the Portuguese if elected, saying Conceição is “ready to come … on better terms” than Mourinho.
Ange Postecoglou has been linked too, with Australian outlets and European transfer reports noting interest from Fenerbahçe amid separate speculation around Bayer Leverkusen.
The timing is sensitive. Fenerbahçe’s Extraordinary Elective General Assembly is set for 13–14 September (with a fallback of 20–21 September if quorum is not met), and the incoming president is expected to shape the coaching decision.
There are competing scenarios. Turkish media have suggested the board could opt for a familiar face in İsmail Kartal if talks with foreign candidates stall, underscoring how the election dynamics are influencing the search.
For now, Fenerbahçe’s shortlist appears to centre on Conceição, Spalletti and Postecoglou, with the club’s political calendar set to determine who ultimately replaces Mourinho
