Fenerbahce sack Mourinho after Champions League exit

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Fenerbahce after just over a year in charge

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The Portuguese's departure comes two days after the Turkish club were eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica.

In a statement, Fenerbahce said Mourinho had "parted ways" with the club, before thanking the 62-year-old for his efforts and wishing him well. A club official later confirmed to the BBC that he had been sacked.

Mourinho, who has managed 10 clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, guided Fenerbahce to second in the league during his sole season in charge, but his tenure was punctuated by controversy.

Champions Galatasaray said they would "initiate criminal proceedings" against Mourinho, after accusing him of making "racist statements" following a 0-0 draw in February.

Mourinho denied the allegations, saying he is the "opposite" of racist, and filed a lawsuit against the club seeking damages worth 1,907,000 Turkish Lira (£41,000).

Mourinho was a frequent critic of the standard of officiating in Turkey, and was handed a four-match ban - later reduced to two matches - for his comments about referees after the match against Galatasaray.

Following a 1-1 Europa League draw with United in October where Mourinho was sent off, he said he wanted to manage a team "at the bottom of the table in England" after leaving Fenerbahce so he does not have to play in Uefa competitions.

Mourinho joined Fenerbahce following a three-year spell at Roma, where he won the Conference League in 2022 - the club's only European trophy.

He previously had two spells at Chelsea, where he won three Premier League titles, and was a Champions League winner at Inter Milan and Porto.

In 2017, he guided Manchester United to Europa League success - the first time they had won the competition and their most recent European trophy.