Article by Cosmin Nistor – published on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 20:26 / Updated Tuesday, September 23, 2025:26
Jose Mourinho's departure (62 years old) from Fenerbahce continues to generate scandal in Turkey. Former international and current TV commentator Sinan Engin (60 years old), publicly accused the Portuguese technician of meeting with lawyers Benficai even during the period when the Istanbul club disputes the decisive sleeve of the Champions League play-off in Lisbon.
Former footballer Sinan Engin, currently a TV commentator, accused Jose Mourinho on Monday of “betrayed” the people from Fenerbahce, meeting with the Benficăi lawyers while the Turkish team was in Lisbon, at the end of August, to dispute the second sleeve of the qualifying play-off in the phase of the Champions League. The “vultures” won by 1-0, after a “white” in Istanbul, and qualified in the competition, leaving Fenerbahçe on the outside. A few hours later, Mourinho was dismissed from the technical management of the Super Lig team.
Shock statements at a TV station in Turkey: “UEFA and FIFA must investigate”
According to Sinan Engin's statements, made at Beyaz TV, Mourinho would have reserved an additional room at the hotel to meet the representatives of the Portuguese club before the return of Benfica – Fenerbahce. The match ended with the victory of the Lusitans, score 1-0, and the Turks were eliminated from the race for the UEFA Champions League group.
“Jose Mourinho met at the hotel with Portuguese lawyers in Benfica before the match. He already planned everything, she has reserved another meeting room. UEFA and FIFA has to investigate this! Mourinho made plans to leave and make sure that Fenerbahçe will be eliminated.” Beyaz TV.
The commentator went even further, claiming that the technician would have had the power to influence the absence of Kerem Akturkoglu, the author of the decisive goal:
“If he wanted, he would have met Rui Costa and would not have allowed Akturkoglu to play, because of the huge influence he has.”
A few hours after that failure, Mourinho was dismissed by Fenerbahçe's leadership, and shortly accepted the Benfica's offer, returning to the club after 25 years.
Jose Mourinho: “If I stayed at home until the end of the season, I would earn more than working at Benfica.”
Installed on the Portuguese bench last week, Mourinho wanted to emphasize that his decision was not a financial one. In an interview with Bola's publication, the Lusitan explained that the return to Lisbon brought him, in fact, material losses.
“If I stayed at home until the end of the season, I would earn more than working at Benfica. If I stayed with my family, in London, if I would bring them here, if I would go to Algarve (Portugal region) and take a few walks, I would win more,” said Mourinho.
The coach added that his main motivation is the passion for the job and the desire to fight for trophies:
“I really like to work. To stay home is not for me. I miss that I can train what Benfica plays: to fight for the title. I could not do it in Rome, I could not do it at Fenerbahçe … It is a unique opportunity for me as a coach and as a person.”
Perfect start to Lisbon
At his debut, Benfica won clearly, 3-0 on AVS field. Currently, the team is in second place in the Portugal championship, five points behind the FC Porto rival, but with a less disputed match.
