Former Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan Demirel has had a go at boss Jose Mourinho for his ultra defensive tactics. The former Manchester United manager took over the club’s reins in June this year.
Mourinho is one of the most successful managers in the game, having achieved success with top sides like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea and United. However, two months into the new Turkish season, Demirel is disillusioned with the Portuguese’s tactics, with the team winless in two games this month.
In their last game at the weekend, Mourinho’s side twice squandered their lead in a a 2-2 draw at Samsunspor in the Super Lig. Ahead of the UEFA Europa League game with Manchester United at home on Thursday (October 24), Demirel told Fanatik (as per GOAL):
“Right now, this Fenerbahce team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness. Why the unhappiness? Because of the environment they are in. Why the hopelessness? We were all expecting something. We were expecting it from Mourinho. We were expecting it from the transfers that were made.
“We were saying, ‘let’s see after the international break’, but nothing has changed at the moment, but it will obviously continue like this. We waited to see if we could see a change, a variability, but it didn’t happen. We have not seen any changes in the game designs of the matches played at home and away. Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbahce play a seven-man defence? A big question mark.”
After eight Super Lig games, Mourinho’s side are fourth, trailing leaders Galatasaray (25) by eight points but have a game in hand. In the Europa League, Fenerbahce beat Union SG 2-1 at home before drawing 1-1 at FC Twente earlier this month.
What did Jose Mourinho say following his Fenerbahce appointment?
Jose Mourinho expressed his gratitude before embarking on his new managerial stint with Turkish giants Fenerbahce when his appointment was made official in June this year.
Having achieved success with some of the top teams in the continent, Mourinho sounded eager to live up to expectations, thanking fans for their love (as per Sky Sports):
“I want to thank you for your love, the love that I felt from the first moment where my name was first connected with Fenerbahce. Normally, a coach is loved after victories. In this case, I feel that I am loved before victories.”
He added:
“I want to work for Turkish football. I want to work for the Turkish league. I want to help to improve (it), but the most important thing for me is not Turkish football; it’s not the Turkish league; it’s Fenerbahce.”
Jose Mourinho’s previous assignment was at Serie A side AS Roma, whom he left in January this year. Being the only coach to win the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, he will hope to add to his 26 overall titles at Fenerbahce.
