Jose Mourinho was fuming after Fenerbahce failed to qualify for the Champions League group stages, but suggested the Turkish side can win the Europa League if the standard of refereeing improves.
The 61-year-old faces a potential reunion with Manchester United as Fenerbahce dropped into the Europa League competition after being beaten by 10-man Lille on Tuesday evening.
Fenerbahce went into the game trailing 2-1 on aggregate after losing in France last week, with an equaliser eventually coming in the 91st minute of the game before Jonathan David scored to win the match in extra time.
Lille’s Aissa Mandi was sent off as the Ligue 1 side found themselves a man down in a match where seven yellow cards were dished out by Spanish referee Jose María Sanchez.
Mourinho had previously overseen Roma’s Europa League final defeat against Sevilla last year, losing on penalties, in a match that was overshadowed by ill discipline, reckless challenges and touchline feuds.
Jose Mourinho was fuming after Fenerbahce failed to qualify for the Champions League group stages
Seven yellow cards were dished out in Tuesday’s Champions League qualification clash
Mourinho believes Fenerbahce can win the Europa League after they dropped into the competition
The game was spoiled as a total of 13 yellow cards were dished out and Mourinho blasted the refereeing display by Anthony Taylor as the two teams ferociously clashed.
He again referenced the encounter when questioning the refereeing display in Fenerbahce’s Champions League exit to Lille.
Reacting to his side’s defeat, the former Chelsea Premier League title winner bizarrely downplayed the result by claiming his side would ‘never 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,’ Mourinho said.
‘But we would never win the Champions League. We would never reach the Champions League final. Never.’
‘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,’ he added.
Mourinho instructed critics to rewatch the 2022/23 Europa League final that was overshadowed by ill-discipline during the Portuguese’s reign
‘If, if, if you want to know more about the ifs I invite you to watch Roma/Sevilla in the Europe League final and you understand the ifs.
‘But we can do a great Europa League with if. I can’t speak more than the if. If not I am in trouble,’ said Mourinho.
Fenerbahce will now drop into the Europa League competition where they could come up against Man United who Mourinho previously guided to the title during his years at the club.
The ‘Special One’ has quickly settled into his new surroundings in Turkey with Fenerbahce supporters hoping he can end their wait for a first Superlig title in over a decade.