02 June 2024 , 19:27
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Jose Mourinho has promised he will always belong to the Fenerbahce family after signing a contract to take over as the Turkish giants' manager.
Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January. Rumours have ramped up over the past week linking the legendary boss with Fenerbahce, who were looking for new manager despite finishing second in the Turkish Super Lig.
Talks progressed quickly and Mourinho has now signed a contract to officially join. Mourinho had worked as a pundit for TNT Sports at the Champions League final on Saturday, before flying over to Turkey on Sunday.
Thousands of fans packed into Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul to witness Mourinho putting pen to paper. It is understood to be a two-year deal, with Mourinho clearly delighted to arrive.
“I want to thank you for your love. Normally a coach is loved after victories. In this case I feel that I am loved before the victories. That for me is a big responsibility that I feel,” Mourinho told the assembled crowd.
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“I promise you from this moment, I belong to your family. This shirt is my skin. Football is passion and there is no better place to feel that passion. Since the moment I met the president, I wanted to play for you because you are the soul of the football club.
"I want to be the coach of all of you. I want to work in Turkish football. I want to help the Turkish league. But the most important thing for me is Fenerbahce. From the moment I sign my contract, your dreams are now my dreams.”
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Mourinho took pictures and shook hands with the assembled fans (Huseyin Yavuz/ dia images via Getty Imagez)Mourinho waved the club's yellow shirt as the fans chanted and cheered his name from the stands. He also shook hands and took pictures with the supporters, who rushed to welcome him.
Fenerbahce's only major trophy win of the past decade came with their Turkish Cup victory in 2023. They have qualifed for the qualification stages of the Champions League though, with the club now bringing in one of football's most decorated managers.
They have not won the league title since 2014, with Mourinho being charged with ending that run. Though he has warned that success may take some time for him to bring to his new club.
"I decided I want to go but it is not done yet. I cannot confirm officially, but yes I want to go. Hard, because we have three rounds to go in [Champions League qualification]," he told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's Champions League final.
"In Fenerbahce's case, eight players are in the Euros. They are not coming for pre-season before the first round so its hard. But if I go, you know I like challenges, so if I go you know we will fight hard to be in the Champions League."
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