Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe has been eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers.
Fenerbahçe was defeated by Lille with a 3-2 aggregate score, sending Lille through to the Champions League and relegating the Turkish side to the UEFA Europa League.
Despite Lille conceding an own goal in the tie, Mourinho’s team was undone by a late penalty, allowing Lille to equalize and advance.
In a post-match interview, Mourinho said his side lost and missed a great opportunity to play against elite teams, but they would never have been able to win the Champions League:
“We lose economically because the Champions League obviously is an important boost to the club and we lose the chance to play against the biggest teams in the world.” But we would never win the Champions League. We would never reach the Champions League final. Never.”
Mourinho also criticized refereeing decisions, reflecting on the 2023 Europa League final where his Roma side lost to Sevilla in a penalty shootout. He commented:
“But we go to Europa League and in Europa League if… if… I don’t want to say the rest. I prefer to stay on the ifs. But if we can do a great Europa League. If, if, if. But we can do a great Europa League with if. I can’t speak more than the if. If not I am in trouble.”
Mourinho was appointed as Fenerbahçe’s head coach in January after being dismissed by Roma in January 2024.
