Words from the Fenerbahçe coach after the victorious debut in the Europa League, against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Fenerbahçe’s Europa League debut under José Mourinho began on a positive note, as the Turkish side secured a 2-1 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise in Istanbul.
The match saw Fenerbahçe taking an early lead through a goal by Soyuncu in the 26th minute, followed by an own goal by the Belgian side’s Burgess in the 82nd minute. Despite a late consolation goal from Sykes in stoppage time (90+3’), Fenerbahçe held on to claim all three points.
This victory was particularly significant for Mourinho, who had recently experienced his first loss in the Turkish Super Lig, a painful 1-3 defeat at home to arch-rivals Galatasaray. The loss raised questions about Fenerbahçe's resilience and whether they could bounce back, especially under the leadership of a manager with Mourinho’s reputation. The win against Union Saint-Gilloise was therefore a much-needed morale boost for the team, as they look to compete on multiple fronts this season.
Following the match, Mourinho faced questions from the media about whether the so-called "Mourinho effect" could propel Fenerbahçe to a successful season, with many eager to see if the Portuguese tactician could bring silverware to the club. Known for his ability to deliver trophies at nearly every club he’s managed, Mourinho responded with his trademark confidence, while also tempering expectations.
"What you call the Mourinho effect is about trophies," Mourinho began. "There are no trophies to win in September, so how can you see the Mourinho effect?" he asked rhetorically, reminding everyone that the season is still in its early stages. He continued, "I’ve won trophies at every club I’ve been at, except at Tottenham because I left two days before the cup final. So, the Mourinho effect that I created at every club was winning trophies. I’m sorry, but we can’t do that in September."
Mourinho’s response was a reminder that while his track record speaks for itself, the process of winning titles takes time and hard work. He emphasized that there is no shortcut to success and that the early months of the season are about building momentum, consistency, and resilience. His focus, as always, is on the long-term goal of bringing trophies to Fenerbahçe, but he acknowledged that such achievements cannot be rushed.
Reflecting on the importance of the match itself, Mourinho highlighted the dual challenges his team faced. "This game had two aspects: one was the Europa League, and the other was the difficulty of the first game after an important defeat," he said, alluding to the psychological and emotional toll of the recent loss to Galatasaray. He noted that after such a defeat, "there was a bit of joy in bringing people down," referring to external criticism that often follows a poor result. However, Mourinho brushed off any concerns, stating that he understands the emotional side of football and how to manage those pressures within the squad.
Mourinho was clear that while the victory was important, he and his team were not going to get carried away. Just as they didn’t view the Galatasaray loss as a disaster, they wouldn’t overinflate the significance of their Europa League debut win. "Based on this emotional side, just as the loss to Galatasaray wasn’t viewed as an irrecoverable disaster, this victory isn’t seen as something superlative either," Mourinho explained. He is keen to maintain a balanced approach, not letting his team get too high with wins or too low with losses.
The conversation then shifted to the media’s role in shaping fan expectations and the narrative around teams. Mourinho, in his usual direct style, pointed out the influence that journalists have on how supporters perceive a team’s performance. "Journalists have an effect on how fans think, and the way business is done has something to do with that," he said. Mourinho humorously suggested that it might be the journalists who need to change their approach, remarking, "Maybe it’s you who need to change, you work too much."
He went on to share insights into his personal work ethic, stating that he works at least 12 hours a day and even sleeps at the club’s facilities to maximize his time. "I sleep at the facilities so I don’t waste time. Istanbul is a beautiful city, but I didn’t come here on vacation, I came to work," Mourinho said, underlining his dedication to the job. He emphasized that this strong work ethic is shared by everyone at the club, creating a positive working environment where success can be built through hard work and collective effort.
Mourinho concluded by reiterating his personal philosophy, which is not to get carried away by success or to be overwhelmed by setbacks. "I always try to instill and explain this to people: I may succeed from time to time, but when things go well, we don’t go to the Moon, and when things go badly, we don’t go to hell," he said. For Mourinho, the key is consistency and maintaining a level-headed approach, regardless of the results. "We want to go to the Moon, but it’s too far. Sometimes they try to push us to hell, but people work hard not to go there," he added, emphasizing the importance of resilience.
In a poignant moment, Mourinho also reflected on his career accomplishments, mentioning the 26 trophies he has won, as well as the "5.5 European cups" he counts. "I say half because they stole one from me, and I’ll never forget that," he remarked, referring to the infamous situation at Tottenham when he was sacked just days before the club's League Cup final.
As Fenerbahçe continues their campaign, Mourinho’s determination and philosophy will be key to guiding the team through the challenges of the season. While there are no trophies to win in September, Mourinho’s long-term vision remains clear: he’s here to work hard and, ultimately, to bring success to Fenerbahçe.
