Fenerbahce’s head coach Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration regarding the Turkish soccer system and the performance of officials, particularly targeting the VAR decisions, following his team’s narrow 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor. The match concluded dramatically with Fenerbahce scoring a last-minute winner, yet the post-match sentiments were overshadowed by Mourinho’s strong criticisms of the league and its refereeing practices, suggesting that he feels he is battling against a flawed system.
Mourinho, who is beginning his tenure in Turkey, indicated that the revelation of how the league operates tainted his enthusiasm for accepting the role. He denounced the Turkish league as having a “bad smell” and challenged the interest of international viewers, implying that the officiating seems biased against his squad, further fueling the discord.
The Portuguese manager’s diatribe regarding VAR was particularly pointed, as he lamented how Trabzonspor received two penalties but a clear foul against his team went unaddressed. He also highlighted a missed red card offense that he believed should have been penalized in the first half, questioning the attentiveness of the VAR official during key moments of the match.
“Was the VAR official drinking coffee at the time?” Mourinho queried in disbelief, emphasizing the inconsistency he perceived in refereeing decisions. He elaborated on the challenges his team faces not only from their competitors but also from systemic issues within Turkish soccer, describing it as a complex battle that complicates their performance on the pitch.
Mourinho’s transition to Fenerbahce came after his dismissal from AS Roma, marking a departure from his usual coaching environments dominated by the top leagues in Europe. Despite his impressive track record that includes multiple league titles and Champions League victories, he hinted at possible regret for moving to Turkey, revealing that he felt misled about the realities of the Turkish soccer landscape.
During his post-game press briefing, he didn’t hold back in continuing to criticize the league, questioning its attractiveness to foreign audiences and describing the atmosphere as “too grey” and “too dark.” He conveyed a sentiment that suggests his disillusionment with the whole experience might lead to re-evaluating his career choices in Turkish football.