Mourinho demands respect amid Fenerbahce’s winning streak

Jose Mourinho Demands Respect Amid Fenerbahce’s Winning Streak

Jose Mourinho, the ever-charismatic and outspoken coach of Fenerbahce, has once again made headlines. This time, the “Special One” is calling out the local media for what he perceives as a lack of recognition for his team’s impressive performances. Following Fenerbahce’s fifth consecutive win, a 3-1 victory over Gaziantep on Monday, Mourinho had a clear message: “Give me a little bit of credit.”

Currently sitting second in the Turkish Super Lig, Fenerbahce is just three points behind their fierce rivals, Galatasaray. Despite their strong form, Mourinho feels the local press has been overly critical. “They [local media] still kill me,” he said during a postgame news conference. “Don’t try to do to me what was done to Giovanni van Bronckhorst [at Besiktas].”

Mourinho Defends Fellow Coaches

In typical Mourinho fashion, he didn’t just stop at defending himself. He also took a moment to stand up for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was recently dismissed by Besiktas after securing just one win in six games. “I don’t know any coach that in three, four, five months can make miracles, can change things,” Mourinho said. “For me, he [Van Bronckhorst] was doing a great job.”

Mourinho, who took over at Fenerbahce this past summer after leaving Roma, expressed his frustration with the lack of patience in Turkish football. “The results lately [for Besiktas] were not the best, but you have this culture, and this is a culture that goes against stability,” he explained. “Clubs and players, to evolve, they need stability also in their coaches, in their coaches’ philosophy.”

He then made a plea to the media and fans alike: “So give me a bit of a break, let me work in peace. But if it’s not in peace, there is no problem, I still enjoy it.”

Fenerbahce’s Dominance on the Pitch

While Mourinho may feel underappreciated, the numbers tell a different story. Fenerbahce has been a force to be reckoned with this season. They’ve scored more goals than any other team in the Super Lig and have conceded the fewest. That’s a testament to Mourinho’s tactical acumen and the depth of his squad.

When asked how his team has managed to maintain such a strong run of form despite a packed schedule—including an international break in November—Mourinho credited his squad’s depth. “That calendar is for every team that is in Europe,” he said. “It’s when you have to use the squad. If you play always with the same players, they will be burnt out.”

He continued, “You have to trust the squad. You have to give an opportunity for fresh people to play. I have a wonderful bench, full of options. With benches like this, a coach is a happy coach; and a coach doesn’t have any fear of accumulation of matches in the calendar.”

What’s Next for Mourinho and Fenerbahce?

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Fenerbahce to see if they can close the gap on Galatasaray and potentially claim the Super Lig title. Mourinho’s track record suggests he thrives under pressure, and his team’s current form indicates they’re more than capable of mounting a serious challenge.

But for Mourinho, it’s not just about winning games—it’s about changing the culture. His call for stability and patience is a reminder that success in football doesn’t happen overnight. Whether the local media will heed his advice remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Mourinho isn’t backing down.

For now, Fenerbahce fans can take solace in the fact that their team is firing on all cylinders. And as long as Mourinho is at the helm, you can bet there will never be a dull moment.

Key Takeaways:

• Fenerbahce is second in the Turkish Super Lig, three points behind Galatasaray.
• The team has won five consecutive games and leads the league in both goals scored and goals conceded.
• Mourinho is calling for more respect and stability in Turkish football, citing the recent dismissal of Giovanni van Bronckhorst as an example of impatience.
• He credits his team’s depth and rotation for their ability to handle a congested schedule.

As the season heats up, one thing is clear: Mourinho’s Fenerbahce is a team to watch, both on and off the pitch.