The Turkish media are impressed by Feyenoord. Fenerbahçe were defeated at De Kuip on Wednesday evening in the third qualifying round of the Champions League (2-1). Coach José Mourinho, in particular, is bearing the brunt of the criticism.
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The criticism directed at José Mourinho following Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 loss to Feyenoord in the Champions League third qualifying round has reached a boiling point in Turkey, with the nation’s leading sports outlets delivering scathing assessments of both the team’s performance and the manager’s role in what is increasingly being perceived as a declining project.
Hürriyet, one of Turkey’s most influential newspapers, began its analysis with a pointed comparison. "Feyenoord finished third in the Eredivisie last season and sold their two best players, Igor Paixão and Dávid Hancko…" the report began, highlighting that even a weakened Feyenoord side looked more organized, more motivated, and significantly better prepared than a Fenerbahçe team boasting far more experience and financial muscle. The tone was one of disbelief and frustration, especially considering the pedigree of Fenerbahçe’s bench.
"From the first whistle, Fenerbahçe were completely off the pace," Hürriyet lamented. "They were ineffective in every aspect losing possession constantly, unable to string together coherent attacks, and offering no resistance when under pressure. The goal conceded in the first half came after a brainless, unnecessary pass that left the defense exposed. It was the kind of mistake you wouldn't expect from an amateur side, let alone one coached by someone of Mourinho’s supposed calibre."
According to the paper, the second half showed marginal improvement, but even that was undermined by a lack of direction. "Yes, there was a slight burst of energy after halftime," Hürriyet acknowledged. "The players returned with a bit more fire, forced Feyenoord into a few errors, and moved the ball with slightly more purpose after substitutions. But was any of that actually Mourinho's doing? That’s the big question. There was no tactical shift, no clear intervention from the bench. Mourinho appears detached, making random changes and blaming everything on the transfer market. It’s as if he's waiting for someone else to fix the mess."
That sentiment was echoed if not amplified by Fanatik, which questioned Mourinho’s very relevance in modern football. “Is Mourinho outdated?” the outlet asked bluntly. “This is no longer a provocation or a tabloid jab. It’s a serious question, rooted in months of evidence. Feyenoord were exactly what you’d expect: fast, fluid, and tactically coherent. Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe spent the entire match chasing shadows. From minute one, they looked overwhelmed. There was no shape, no urgency, and absolutely no plan.”
The article continued with a brutally honest appraisal of Mourinho’s time in Istanbul. “To be clear, this isn’t about one bad night in Rotterdam. It’s about fourteen months of stagnation. Mourinho was brought in with dreams of European glory and domestic dominance. Instead, we’ve seen regression. No trophies. No progress. Just press conferences filled with excuses, and games where the team looks lost.”
The harshest blow may have come from Milliyet, which shifted its focus from tactics to Mourinho’s relationship or lack thereof with the fanbase and broader Turkish football culture. “Mourinho seems completely disconnected from the anger and frustration felt by ordinary Fenerbahçe supporters,” the paper wrote. “There is a palpable tension in the streets. Fans are tired. They’re emotionally drained. And yet the team walks onto the pitch in Rotterdam looking like they’re playing a pre-season friendly.”
The article accused Mourinho of stifling the team with his rigid approach and emotional detachment. “This isn’t just about formation or fitness,” Milliyet argued. “It’s about leadership. It’s about character. Mourinho’s presence seems to have a dampening effect on the players. There’s no joy, no spontaneity. It’s all fear and structure. He should be telling them to play freely, to take risks but instead, we see lifeless first halves and constant damage control. Fenerbahçe are now in the habit of wasting the opening 45 minutes of every match, and that’s on him.”
In Turkey, the tone surrounding Mourinho has shifted dramatically. What began as cautious optimism an icon of the modern game taking charge of one of the country’s most historic clubs has now devolved into open disdain. Even the most loyal supporters are questioning whether the "Special One" still has anything special to offer.
Calls for his dismissal are growing louder, and unless results turn around swiftly and convincingly, José Mourinho’s Turkish adventure could end not with silverware, but with resignation and regret.
Updated: 11:25, 7 Aug 2025
