Jose Mourinho was dismissed by Fenerbahce just two days after the team's elimination from the Champions League play-offs by Benfica. The second leg in Portugal ended with a 1-0 victory for the home side, following a 0-0 draw in Istanbul. This marks the second instance in the 62-year-old manager's career where he failed to secure a single title during his tenure with a club, the first being his time at Tottenham.
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Coach Jose Mourinho during Fenerbahce's loss to Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League play-off at Da Luz Stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, on the evening of 27/8/2025. Photo: *Reuters* |
According to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, Fenerbahce is obligated to pay Mourinho $17 million in severance. This brings the total amount "The Special One" has received following dismissals to a record-breaking $125 million among football managers.
Mourinho previously received $35 million from Chelsea across two separate departures from Stamford Bridge, in 2007 and 2015. His departure from Real Madrid yielded $23 million. At Man Utd, his severance reached $26 million. Tottenham paid $20 million when they dismissed the Portuguese manager before the 2021 League Cup final. Mourinho's smallest severance package came from Roma, where he received "only" $4 million.
In total, Mourinho's seven dismissals have earned him a sum equivalent to the transfer fee of a top global football star. To date, only 11 players have commanded transfer fees exceeding $125 million.
Severance pay is typically calculated based on the remaining duration of a manager's contract. Mourinho's contract with Fenerbahce was set to expire at the end of June 2026. With the club terminating his contract 10 months early, they incurred a $17 million payment. According to ESPN, Mourinho earned an annual salary of $11 million after taxes when he signed with Fenerbahce in June 2024.
Mourinho's future remains uncertain. In October 2024, he jokingly suggested he might choose an English club not participating in European competitions to avoid pressure. Coincidentally, his former club, Man Utd, is currently not involved in European competitions and has also been eliminated from the League Cup.
Compiled by Hoang An
