Mourinho and Solskjaer Sacked: Turkish Football Reels from Double Blow

In a dramatic 24-hour period, two former Manchester United managers, José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, have been sacked from their Turkish clubs following humiliating exits from European competitions. Mourinho, 62, was dismissed by Fenerbahçe after failing to secure a spot in the Champions League league phase, while Solskjaer, 52, was axed by Beşiktaş just hours earlier due to a collapse in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. These high-profile sackings underscore the intense pressure on managers in the Turkish Süper Lig, where European success is a cornerstone of club expectations.

Mourinho’s stint at Fenerbahçe, which began in June 2024, ended abruptly on August 29, 2025, following a decisive defeat to Benfica in the Champions League play-off round. The loss dashed hopes of reaching the lucrative group stage, adding to frustrations from a season where Fenerbahçe finished second in the Süper Lig behind rivals Galatasaray, extending a title drought dating back to 2014. Mourinho’s public disputes with Galatasaray’s coach Okan Buruk and his outspoken criticism of Turkish referees further strained relations with the club’s board. Fenerbahçe released a statement thanking Mourinho: “We have parted ways with Jose Mourinho, who served as head coach since the 2024-2025 season. We thank him for his efforts and wish him success in his future career.” The Portuguese tactician, renowned for Champions League triumphs with Porto and Inter Milan, has yet to comment publicly on his departure.

Solskjaer’s exit from Beşiktaş was even swifter, coming less than an hour after a 1-0 loss to Lausanne in the UEFA Conference League play-off, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate defeat. This followed an earlier Europa League qualifying exit against Shakhtar Donetsk, marking a series of European disappointments since Solskjaer took charge in January 2024. Despite guiding Beşiktaş to a fourth-place finish in the Süper Lig amid mounting domestic pressure, the Norwegian’s contract was terminated after an emergency board meeting. Beşiktaş chairman Serdal Adalı issued a statement expressing gratitude for Solskjaer’s efforts while signaling a shift in the club’s direction. Fan reactions remain divided, with some disappointed by the lack of progress under his leadership.

Both managers share a history at Manchester United, where Mourinho was sacked in December 2018 after a trophyless spell despite winning the Europa League in 2017. Solskjaer, who took over as interim boss and was later appointed permanently in 2019, led United to a second-place Premier League finish in 2021 before his own dismissal later that year. Their moves to Turkey—Mourinho to Fenerbahçe for a high-profile return and Solskjaer to Beşiktaş to rebuild his managerial reputation—ended in parallel setbacks, highlighting the unforgiving nature of top-tier football management.

As Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş search for new managers to salvage their seasons, the sackings raise questions about managerial stability in Turkish football. Both clubs aim to compete for domestic titles and potentially re-enter European competitions, but the pressure for immediate results remains unrelenting. The departures of two decorated figures like Mourinho and Solskjaer serve as a stark reminder of the high stakes in the Süper Lig’s competitive landscape.