Mourinho, 62, had taken the helm in June 2024 to a hero's welcome from thousands of ecstatic fans, with a two-year contract aimed at ending the club's long wait for a league title. However, his tenure ended after just over a year following a disappointing exit from the Champions League qualifiers. The final blow came with a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Portuguese club Benfica, Mourinho's first-ever club as a manager, with the decisive second leg ending 1-0 in Portugal. The loss means Fenerbahçe's absence from the Champions League now stretches to 17 seasons.
Despite guiding Fenerbahçe to a second-place finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season and achieving a win percentage of nearly 60%, the failure to reach Europe's elite competition was a line the club's board was unwilling to let him cross. The club released a short statement thanking him for his efforts and wishing him success in the future. The decision also comes just two matches into the new league season, highlighting the board's swift and decisive action.