Fenerbahce confirm club have begun negotiations with Jose Mourinho as the Special One gears up for a return to management five months after Roma sacking

Jose Mourinho is in talks with Fenerbahce over taking over as head coach of the Turkish giants.

Mourinho, 61, has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January after two-and-a-half years at the club.

He has been linked to several roles during his time out of the game, and reports broke this week that he was set to take charge at Fenerbahce.

And now, the club have confirmed the rumours after they revealed discussions had begun with Mourinho.

‘Negotiations have started with Jose Mario Dos Santos Mourinho Felix for the position of coach,’ they said in a statement to investors. 

Mourinho, 61, has been out of work since he was sacked by Italian side Roma back in January

If the appointment does go through, Mourinho – who would replace former boss Ismail Kartal – will take over a Fenerbahce side who narrowly missed out on the Turkish Super Lig title this season despite amassing 99 points.

Although they lost just one of their 38 games, six draws proved costly as their bitter rivals Galatasaray racked up 102 points, meaning Fenerbahce have now come second in three consecutive seasons and haven’t won the league since 2013-14.

Mourinho, who has won 26 trophies across his career, has managed the likes of Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Man United, but left Roma in January when the Italian side were ninth in Serie A, although he did lift the Europa Conference League title with them in 2022. 

The Portuguese coach had been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during his time without a club, but a move never materialised despite Mourinho talking up the chances of an opportunity in the Middle East.

‘I will go to Saudi Arabia in some free time, but I am convinced that I will work there,’ he had told MBC Egypt.

‘I don’t know when, but I am pretty sure of it. No one knows the future, but I will definitely do this. Doors are always open for me in Saudi Arabia. I want to feel the development there.’

Mourinho is set to replace former boss Ismail Kartal, who left the club at the end of the season

Fenerbahce racked up 99 points and lost just once, but narrowly missed out on the league title

However, he is set to join Fenerbahce in what will be his 11th managerial role after a hugely tumultuous season for the club. 

Shocking scenes in March saw their players attacked by rival Trabzonspor fans after a late winner, which led to the club threatening to withdraw from the Turkish Super Lig.

This was in protest at what they believe has been ‘unfair treatment from authorities’ towards the club over the years.

However, ultimately their members decided to stay in the league following a club-wide vote and Mourinho will now be tasked with bringing the glory days back to the 19-time title winners.