Jose Mourinho fires on all cylinders: Turkish media in the crosshairs as Fenerbahce’s title hopes fade and Cristiano Ronaldo reunion talks heat up
In Istanbul, Fenerbahce’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Kayserispor didn’t just deal a heavy blow to their title ambitions—it also ignited another stormy post-match episode involving Jose Mourinho, whose future at the club has suddenly become the subject of renewed intrigue.
The draw leaves Fenerbahce five points behind Galatasaray with just six games remaining in the Turkish Super Lig. But Mourinho’s latest outburst at the press conference drew more attention than the result itself—especially as rumors of a possible move to manage the Portugal national team and Cristiano Ronaldo swirl once more.
It wasn’t the first time Mourinho had clashed with Turkish reporters, but this exchange cut particularly deep. “You’re asking me the same thing again. You’ve mentioned Kayserispor’s missing players twice. You asked this. Why? Are they 10–12-year-old kids?” he responded to questions about rumors that Kayserispor deliberately rested players to favor Fenerbahce’s title bid.
“They’re professionals. The ones who played are also part of the squad. They have integrity, honor. These are players who possess that. What is your aim? The ones who replaced them had ambition. If you want to talk about the match, let’s talk about the match.”
The tension in the press room mirrored the tension on the pitch. Fenerbahce twice came from behind, eventually taking a 3-2 lead through Allan Saint-Maximin, only to concede a gut-wrenching 94th-minute equalizer to Talha Sarıaslan. For Mourinho, it was another match where defensive mistakes proved costly.
Portugal calling?
While Mourinho battles media scrutiny in Turkey, a much more prestigious opportunity may be forming back home. According to reports from CNN Portugal’s journalist Rui Santos, Mourinho is on the brink of accepting a job he has desired for years: head coach of the Portugal national team.
Santos, speaking on Rui Santos em Campo, revealed that new Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca is “extremely set on changing the Portugal coach” and is actively trying to convince Mourinho to take over—even if the nation goes on to win the Nations League under Roberto Martínez.
“Jose Mourinho is being highly pressured by Pedro Proenca to be Portugal’s next coach… The door is completely open,” said Santos. “Even if the Nations League goes well, the coach may be on his way out regardless.”
Mourinho himself hasn’t hidden his ambition. Just last year, he told EA Sports Korea he regretted turning down the national job before Martínez’s appointment: “I think I was emotional when I didn’t accept and decided to stay at Roma. I think I made a mistake. Portugal wanted me twice and I think they will want me a third time, one day. And then I will accept it.”
Cristiano Ronaldo reunion?
The potential appointment could also reunite Mourinho with Cristiano Ronaldo, another Portuguese icon with whom he shared a fiery but successful spell at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013. Despite frequent public spats—especially over Ronaldo’s defensive work rate—the duo won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup during their three seasons together.
CNN Portugal reports that coaching CR7 again “is not believed to be an issue for Mourinho,” even if their past was at times combative. With the 2026 World Cup looming, the experienced boss’ appointment this summer would give him ample time to prepare a final major tournament run with the country he’s long wanted to lead.