Benfica release OFFICIAL Mourinho statement after Fenerbahce chaos

Jose Mourinho is poised to be named as Benfica’s new head coach in a surprising twist that caught former club Fenerbahce off guard.

Mourinho was sacked as Fenerbahce boss following the club’s Champions League exit at the hands of Benfica – his prospective new employers.

A statement on the Lisbon club’s official website confirms: “Negotiations are underway for the hiring of coach Jose Mourinho, which are expected to be concluded soon.”

Ali Koc, Fener’s president, went on the record to explain that the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss was sacked because of his negative tactics and not because of that expensive loss.

“When this season started, the performance we saw in the first five official games mirrored last season’s,” Koc said in an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record.

“Anyone could be eliminated by Benfica, but the way we played bothered me. That’s why it was such a risky and difficult decision.

“Since we couldn’t see much light at the end of the tunnel regarding the championship, we had to make this difficult decision.”

Learning that Mourinho is destined to take over at Benfica, the Fenerbahce supremo appeared unflustered.

“I’d say it’s a strange coincidence of life,” he told TRT Sport (via Hurriyet).

Mourinho responds to Fenerbahce criticism

The Turkish side reportedly paid Mourinho around €15 million as compensation for being sacked while the goal that eliminated them from the Champions League was scored by Kerem Akturkoglu – a player they ultimately signed.

It is a situation that has clearly left the veteran boss perplexed.

“When I left Fenerbahce, I closed a door. I didn’t respond to the provocations and I didn’t make excuses. Ali Koc has a different style of behaviour to me.

“He’s spoken countless times since I left and has never explained why the player who knocked us out was signed after that game!”

Mourinho’s first match in charge of Benfica is likely to be against AVS on Saturday.

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