Mourinho to sack Ten Hag - or vice versa? 'Hopeless' Fenerbahce slammed

Tom Weber

Updated: 21 Oct 2024 21:15 BST
4 min read

Fenerbahce legend Volkan Demirel has blasted Jose Mourinho's side as 'hopeless' ahead of their crunch clash with Manchester United.

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Mourinho's reunion with the Red Devils has been billed as a crucial game for the future of Erik ten Hag. The Man Utd boss has been under massive scrutiny in this still-young season after a rotten start to the campaign.

However, Ten Hag and Man Utd alleviated the pressure somewhat with a solid if unspectacular comeback victory over Brentford. Next up, the Dutchman and his men travel to Istanbul for a Europa League clash with Fenerbahce on Thursday.

While Mourinho could be the man to get Ten Hag sacked, there is also the chance of the exact opposite happening. The legendary Portuguese manager's start to life in Turkey has been anything but plain sailing and a Man Utd side with, erm, wind in their sails could pile on the misery.

Fenerbahce 'hopeless' under Mourinho

Fenerbahce hired Mourinho in the summer to dethrone hated rivals Galatasaray after they had claimed the Super Lig title last season despite the former amassing a ridiculous 99 points.

However, the side from Istanbul's Asian part have been unable to challenge their European adversaries. While Gala are again topping the table, Fener languishes in fourth.

Mourinho's side did not move an inch in the standings at the weekend as they only musted a 2-2 draw with third-placed surprise package Samsunspor, coached by Markus Gisdol, who had become something of a meme in the Bundesliga but is now revered by Turkish fans.

In the wake of the draw, and with Man Utd on the horizon, Fener legend Volkan Demiral slammed Mourinho's side. “Right now, this Fenerbahce team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness,” the ex-goalkeeper told Fanatik.

“Why the unhappiness? Because of the environment they are in. Why the hopelessness? We were all expecting something. We were expecting it from Jose Mourinho, we were expecting it from the transfers that were made.

"We were saying, 'let’s see after the international break,' but nothing has changed at the moment, but it will obviously continue like this. We waited to see if we could see a change, a variability, but it didn’t happen.

“We have not seen any changes in the game plans of the matches played at home and away, any player preferences against the teams played, or any planned methods according to the opponent. Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbahce play a seven-man defence? A big question mark.”

Perhaps it is not Ten Hag who is at risk of the sack but Mourinho...