Mourinho faces backlash after Fenerbahce’s Europa League loss, controversial press conference

Jose Mourinho found himself at the center of controversy after Fenerbahce’s 3-1 home loss to Rangers in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg.

The Portuguese manager not only criticized his team’s performance but also blamed the fans and sparked backlash with his behavior in the post-match press conference.

Mourinho’s post-match comments

Speaking after the defeat, Mourinho admitted that Fenerbahce deserved to lose, saying, “We made too many mistakes. They didn’t make any.”

Despite the frustrating result, he stressed that the tie is still open and warned Rangers that it is too early to celebrate.

Criticism of fans and his ironic behavior

Mourinho also shifted some of the responsibility onto Fenerbahce supporters, claiming that they did not provide enough energy to lift the team. “The fans were just like the team. They didn’t give great support,” he said. He added that Rangers would receive strong backing at Ibrox, emphasizing the importance of fan influence in big European nights.

Perhaps the most controversial moment of the night came when Mourinho, during the press conference, pretended to fall asleep while a journalist was asking a lengthy question. His dismissive gesture quickly went viral on social media, drawing heavy criticism from both fans and media members.

Reactions on social media

Some fans defended the coach, saying it was a typical Mourinho stunt, while others called it disrespectful and unprofessional, particularly towards the journalist.

Fenerbahce now faces an uphill battle in the second leg in Glasgow, where they must produce a dramatic comeback to stay in the competition. With Mourinho already under pressure, all eyes will be on his response and whether he can turn things around both on and off the pitch.