BAH-SKET CASE Inside the mad Fenerbahce world Jose Mourinho is entering with rioting fans, players walking off and notorious hooligans
Mourinho may finally have met his fiery match in Turkey
Posted Saturday, June 01, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk
JOSE MOURINHO is set to return to football management by stepping into the Fenerbahce pressure cooker.
The Portuguese, 61, has become known for his fiery antics in recent years.
Jose Mourinho is set to return to management with Fenerbahce Credit: Getty
During his last few months at Roma, he performed numerous mad feats - from repeated sendings off, to spats with the media, and even calling himself "Harry Potter".
Having been sacked by the Serie A side in January, Mourinho has not been short of offers in the intervening months - with even shock links to former club Manchester United emerging.
His next challenge, however, will see him step into the fire in Istanbul, as he takes charge of one of European football's largest, most fanatically-backed institutions.
While success in Europe has been limited in recent years due to the wealth gap with the continent's elite, Fenerbahce remain one of Turkey's superpowers.
Incredibly, per Turkish news outlet N24, 32 per cent of all fans in the country support Fener.
Decked out in the club's trademark yellow and black stripes, the club's supporters boast a distinctive look that can be seen all around Turkey.
Mourinho, who has managed many of Europe's biggest clubs, may have to prepare himself for the intensity of the backdrop that Turkish football is played out in front of.
In March, Fenerbahce were involved in the latest shocking scenes of violence that have blighted the Super Lig.
Following a last-gasp 3-2 win at rivals Trabzonspor, home fans ran onto the pitch, some even wielding weapons, to attempt to attack Fener stars.
Former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi appeared to take on one pitch invader with an astonishing spinning back kick.
Ex-QPR ace Bright Osayi-Samuel could be seen aiming a punch at a potential attacker.
Mourinho's predecessor Ismail Kartal pondered after the match: "Why do these events happen when we are victorious here? I don't understand these.
"After all, why are we in such conflict with Trabzonspor when there is nothing between the presidents and managers of our two clubs? I don't understand why we are confronting each other so much?"
If the rivalry with Trabzonspor is fierce, the hatred that runs between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray is on another level entirely.
Dubbed the "derby of immense and never-ending hate", the fixture has been marred by scenes of violence.
In 2012, things reached a boiling point when Galatasaray won the league at Fenerbahce courtesy of a 0-0 draw.
Police, armed with pepper spray, used riot shields to attempt to protect Galatasaray's players from furious Fenerbahce fans storming the pitch.
Chairs were hurled towards opposition players, while more supporters whacked cop cars with stones outside the stadium.
It was even reported at the time that a man wearing a Galatasaray shirt elsewhere in Turkey was beaten and stabbed by a group of Fenerbahce supporters, although thankfully survived.
Following the ruckus against Trabzonspor in March, Fenerbahce defender Alexander Djiku offered an insight into what it is like playing for the club.
He told Sky Sports: "There was a feeling of fear for our lives, because when a supporter is ready to do battle you never know what might happen."
Djiku, 29, went on to add: "At the final whistle, we celebrated the victory in the middle of the pitch - as we do at every match - given that we were playing against the third-placed team and that Galatasaray had won against Kasimpasa.
"We saw one fan enter the pitch and within seconds several more, until the stewards were completely overwhelmed. Hundreds of people were coming towards us and the pitch was completely invaded.
"We all went in at the same time on the recommendation of the stewards and with the help of the Trabzonspor players. It all happened very quickly. Some of my team-mates had no choice but to defend themselves to save their lives."
Following the Trabzonspor attack, Fenerbahce threatened to quit the Super Lig.
At the time, they pointed to further incidents including in 2015 when bullets were aimed at their team bus.
They also complained of officials being "against them".
Mourinho, who also has frequent previous when it comes to slamming referees, will take over a side that failed to win the title - despite amassing 99 points.
With rivals Galatasaray scooping glory after managing to accumulate 102 points, Fener fans were left raging.
In one video clip circulating online, a furious supporter could be seen repeatedly stabbing a poster of club president Ali Koc.
Galatasaray also beat Fenerbahce to their domestic cup - following an astonishing final.
Amid their row with the Turkish Football Federation, Fenerbahce fielded an Under-19 team in protest for the Super Cup final.
After Mauro Icardi scored just 50 seconds into the contest, Fener's young side walked off the pitch - handing Galatasaray victory.
Fire will meet fire as Mourinho, defiant despite is latest sacking, will descend upon the Turkish Super Lig ahead of next season.
What could possibly go wrong?
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