Galatasaray accuses Fenerbahce coach Mourinho of manipulation ahead of derby

Tension is building ahead of the much-anticipated Fenerbahce–Galatasaray derby, with Galatasaray Management Board President Aykutalp Derkan accusing Fenerbahce coach Mourinho of launching a targeted campaign against his team.

Statements made by Derkan have escalated the already heated atmosphere surrounding the match, set to take place this weekend.

Galatasaray president claims Jose Mourinho tried to manipulate referees

During Galatasaray’s monthly Divan Board meeting, Derkan alleged that Mourinho is attempting to influence the referees by creating a narrative around fouls and yellow cards.

He expressed his concerns clearly, stating, “It feels like a button has been pressed, and suddenly all TV channels are talking about ‘this red card’ or ‘that penalty.’ This is not part of football.” Derkan suggested that Mourinho, known for his tactical strategies, is adopting these tactics because he believes Fenerbahce cannot beat Galatasaray on the field.

Derkan did not hold back in his criticism, referring to Mourinho as a “translator coach” and accusing him of adopting “alaturka” (traditional Turkish) behaviors that differ from his global image.

He said, “Mourinho is an established name worldwide, but in Türkiye, he displays ‘alaturka’ behaviors that don’t belong to him.” Derkan’s remarks aim to undermine Mourinho’s credibility and suggest that his influence extends beyond the pitch.

He also criticized the lack of response from Galatasaray’s community, calling for unity and more support from fans and management against what he described as “systematic attacks.” Derkan argued that Galatasaray is the target of a coordinated effort to disrupt the team’s focus before the derby, using media narratives to apply pressure on referees.

Fenerbahce coach Mourinho’s focused preparations for Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby

While Galatasaray accuses Mourinho of playing mind games, the Fenerbahce coach Mourinho has been intensely preparing his team for the derby. Training sessions at the Can Bartu Facilities before the Fenerbahce-Galatasaray derby have focused on speed, coordination, and tactical drills, highlighting Mourinho’s determination to secure a win.

New signings like Youssef En-Nesyri, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Sofyan Amrabat are poised to make their first appearances in the derby, adding a fresh dynamic to the team.

The experienced Edin Dzeko may start over En-Nesyri as Mourinho looks to utilize his veteran presence against Galatasaray’s defense. Mourinho has emphasized maintaining the defensive lineup that has shown stability in recent matches, including key players such as Mert Mulder and Caglar Soyuncu.

Fenerbahce’s strategy aims to counter Galatasaray’s key offensive players

Fenerbahce coach Mourinho, known for his meticulous planning, has made it clear that his team needs to be prepared for Galatasaray’s key offensive threats like Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper.

He instructed his players to disrupt Galatasaray’s build-up play and minimize their chances to break through Fenerbahce’s defense. “Galatasaray is known for their attacking power,” Mourinho reportedly told his team. “We need to control the game and not let them dictate the pace.”

Mourinho’s preparations include special tactics to counter Galatasaray’s striker Michy Batshuayi, who has been effective in previous matches. Fenerbahce’s focus will be on neutralizing these threats and taking control of the game early on.

The coach has also emphasized maintaining possession and counter-attacking quickly, using Saint-Maximin’s pace on the wings to exploit Galatasaray’s defensive gaps.