Jose Mourinho admits it was a "mistake" joining Fenerbahce and that the Turkish team wasn't on his "level". The 62-year-old has come full circle after being sworn in as Benfica's new manager following Bruno Lage's sacking. The Portuguese believes he is a coach who should be managing the biggest teams in the world and Benfica give him that platform.
New Benfica boss Mourinho aims dig at Fenerbahce
Mourinho was sacked last month after just over a year in charge at Fenerbahce. The former Chelsea boss hasn't been out of management for long after being unveiled as Benfica's new coach on Thursday, following Lage's dismissal. Now, the ex-Manchester United manager has fired a parting shot at the Turkish team.
AdvertisementAFPMourinho back managing an 'elite' team
He told Abola: "My career so far has been rich; I've coached the biggest clubs in the world, in different countries. I made the wrong choice; sometimes I don't have the right word in Portuguese… no regrets, because regrets don't help us at all in life, but the awareness of what we did well and what we did wrong exists. I made a mistake going to Fenerbahçe; it wasn't my cultural level, it wasn't my football level, it wasn't my level. Obviously, I gave everything until the last day. Obviously, I had to mourn, like Bruno [Lage] is doing now, because nobody likes to leave, but coaching Benfica is returning to my level, and my level is coaching the biggest clubs in the world."
Benfica boss Mourinho criticises Fenerbahce's transfer business
Mourinho was given the boot at Fenerbahce after the Turkish side lost to Benfica in the Champions League qualifying rounds. The former Roma manager's aforementioned comments may anger those at the Super Lig team, but then he went a step further, criticising their transfer policy, too.
He added, "At my previous club, things were easy. I wanted to play with four players, but the club signed five players the day after I left. While I was there, it was impossible to play with four defenders when the team had seven central defenders. And only one winger. I adapt very well to what's available. I praised Benfica's squad and will do so again. If you ask me if I tried to play with words and emotions, to take the pressure off my team and apply that pressure, obviously, I did. But I don't take back a word of what I said at the time, that Benfica had done a great job in the transfer market, endowing the team with potential that, perhaps, it lacked last season. As I said yesterday, I'm better, but I'm not exactly a great example of fair play. When I lose, I bite my fingers. It wasn't very easy for me to congratulate Benfica, Bruno [Lage], Benfica deserved all of that, I recognize what happened."
AFPWhat next for Mourinho and Benfica?
Former FC Porto boss Mourinho, who began his managerial career at Benfica in 2000, will be in charge for their trip to AVS on Saturday in the league. The Eagles sit sixth in the table, and it remains to be seen if he can prove he is a top coach once again.
