Jose Mourinho is accused of generating 'unhappiness and hopelessness' in the Fenerbahce dressing room ahead of Man United reunion

By: dailymail Posted On: October 22, 2024 View: 172

Jose Mourinho has endured a mixed start to life in charge of Fenerbahce
His side are without a win in October and eight points adrift in the Super Lig
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday

Published: 05:49 EDT, 22 October 2024 | Updated: 07:00 EDT, 22 October 2024

Jose Mourinho has been accused of creating a negative atmosphere in the Fenerbahce dressing room ahead of his side's Europe League showdown with former club Manchester United.

Mourinho made a surprise move to manage in Turkey during the summer after being sacked by Roma at the start of the year following a run of poor results.

He has so far endured a mixed start to life in Turkey with Fenerbahce fourth in the Super Lig, eight points adrift of leaders Galatasaray, and so far unbeaten in the Europa League.

Sunday's 2-2 draw with Samsunspor means the Turkish giants are still without a win in October and a Fenerbahce legend has now come out to publicly criticise Mourinho for his impact on the mood at the club.

Speaking to Fanatik, former Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan Demirel said: 'right now, this Fenerbahce team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness.

Jose Mourinho has been accused of creating a downbeat atmosphere in his new position at Turkish giants Fenerbahce

Former Fenerbahce keeper Volkan Demirel says Mourinho has so far had a negative impact

'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.'

Mourinho is gearing up for a reunion with Man United when his side host the Red Devils on Thursday night.

Mourinho previously guided United to glory in the Europa League in 2017 when the Red Devils engineered a 2-0 win over Ajax - Ten Hag's former club - in the final.

Mourinho has endured a mixed start to life in Turkey since taking charge in the summer

The 61-year-old later went on to win the UEFA Conference League with Roma and has previously won the Champions League twice during incredible early-career spells at Porto and Inter Milan.

Mourinho last took on his former side with Tottenham three-years ago, falling to a 3-1 defeat in what ultimately proved to be one of his last matches in charge before departing the Premier League.