Earlier this month, Portuguese coach José Mourinho delivered a confident post-match statement after his side’s first-leg loss to Lille. Crickex Sign Up sources were surprised by his assertion that the result came down to a lack of luck, and that qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage was “not a problem.” After all, this was the outcome both he and Fenerbahçe’s management had set their sights on. The club had invested heavily in the squad and hired Mourinho precisely to make an impact on Europe’s biggest stage—especially with the Champions League format offering more entry paths this season.

But the promise fell flat. In the second leg, Fenerbahçe could only manage a draw, resulting in a bitter elimination. The disappointment was palpable, especially among Turkish fans who vented their frustration online. Mourinho once again became a trending topic, though this time not for his past glories. Instead, comparisons were drawn to his turbulent stints at Roma, Tottenham, and Manchester United—campaigns that also began with high hopes but ended with unmet expectations.

This match was a must-score situation for Fenerbahçe, particularly with the array of attacking talent they had brought in: Edin Džeko, Allan Saint-Maximin, Dušan Tadić, and Youssef En-Nesyri. On paper, these names should have been more than enough to overpower Lille. The stats backed it up too—15 shots, 7 on target—but none found the back of the net. As the minutes ticked away, so did their composure. Lille capitalized on the missed chances and grew in confidence.

In stoppage time, a lucky break came when Lille’s Diakité scored an own goal, pushing the match into extra time. When Lille’s Mandi received a red card, the momentum shifted further toward Fenerbahçe. But then came the turning point—a careless foul in the box gifted Lille a penalty. David stepped up and calmly slotted it home, sealing the match in dramatic fashion. Mourinho, visibly furious, had no choice but to accept the result.

This loss is particularly crushing for Mourinho. It’s not just another early-season stumble—it marks yet another failed attempt to reach the Champions League group stage, a goal he failed to achieve at Roma as well, which ultimately led to his dismissal. He had come to Fenerbahçe to prove he still had it, but instead faced an immediate setback. Although the club now falls into the Europa League, the difference in prestige is stark—and for a coach of Mourinho’s caliber, it feels like a fall from grace.

Crickex Sign Up data notes that Mourinho’s last Champions League knockout win dates back to March 10, 2020, when his Tottenham side was eliminated by RB Leipzig. Since then, he’s been absent from the competition’s elite stages. While Mourinho remains a manager with a trophy-laden résumé, accusations that he’s lost his touch are growing louder. Whether he can silence those critics is now the question that looms large over his legacy.