The Fall of the Special One: Knocked Out of the Champions League but Found the Perfect Excuse

Mourinho's career continues to decline.

José Mourinho is still associated with success, trophies, and grand victories for many. However, the career of the "Special One" keeps sliding downhill. This summer, he took over as head coach of the Turkish club Fenerbahçe, a significant step back for a coach of his caliber. For someone who once managed Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, the move to Turkey is a signal of change.

For the first time in 20 years, Mourinho found himself with a team outside the top five European leagues. Still, in 2004, when Mourinho was managing Porto, he was outside the elite leagues. Still, he managed to lead the Portuguese club to victory in the Champions League.

Now, the situation is drastically different: Fenerbahçe couldn't even make it past the Champions League qualification round under his leadership.

Hopes and Reality

Turkish fans were excited about Mourinho's arrival at Fenerbahçe. Such an experienced and successful coach would undoubtedly take the team to a new level, particularly in the Champions League.

However, the reality turned out to be harsh. In the qualification round, Fenerbahçe faced French side Lille – a team they were expected to beat. But the Turkish club lost the first match 1-2. In the home leg, fans anticipated an all-out assault, but Mourinho's team looked hesitant and slow. It wasn't until the end of the first half that they started to pick up momentum, but key moments were missed.

In the second half, sensing that the game was slipping away, Mourinho made several substitutions. He bolstered the attack by adding another forward and brought on the experienced Cenk Tosun. The pressure on Lille's goal intensified, but luck remained against the Turks for a long time. A miracle happened in stoppage time.

An own goal by Diakité took the game to extra time. It seemed like Fenerbahçe would finally break the stubborn French side, especially as Lille was down to ten men after Mandi was sent off.

However, in the end, a frustrating penalty was awarded against the hosts for a handball by a defender. Jonathan David converted, and Lille took the lead on aggregate. In the final minutes, Fenerbahçe forward Cenk Tosun had a great chance to save his team, but his shot hit the crossbar. Mourinho was left out of the Champions League. But what's even more interesting is his reaction to the defeat.

A Special Excuse or Cold Calculation?

After being knocked out of the Champions League, Mourinho didn't seem disheartened. Instead, he found a way to present it as something positive. He said Fenerbahçe wouldn't have won the tournament anyway, but the Europa League is a more realistic goal.

This seems like the perfect excuse, especially since there is some truth to it. Fenerbahçe indeed has a better chance of success in the Europa League. This approach is typical of Mourinho. He has always found positives, even in the most unpleasant situations.

However, what once might have seemed logical now sounds absurd and even sad. Being knocked out in the Champions League qualifying round is a failure for Mourinho and perhaps the lowest point of his coaching career. Maybe José will silence all critics and, in nine months, win the Europa League with his new club. But each time, it's harder to believe that. It seems that the era of the Special One is truly over.

Published by Patrick Jane
16.08.2024