Jose Mourinho has begun negotiations with Fenerbahce over the head coach role, the Turkish Super Lig club said on Saturday, as the Portuguese manager looks to return to the touchline after being sacked by AS Roma earlier this year.
"Negotiations have started with Jose Mario Dos Santos Mourinho Felix for the position of coach," the club said in a statement to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP).
The well-travelled Mourinho who has been in charge of some of the biggest clubs in Europe is set to take over a team that finished second in the Super Lig -- three points behind champions and Istanbul rivals Galatasaray.
That runners-up spot has put Fenerbahce in the second qualifying round of next season's Champions League.
"I decided I want to go (to Fenerbahce) but it's not done yet, I cannot confirm it officially," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"(For the Champions League) it's hard because we have three rounds to go in qualification and eight players are in the Euros and they are not coming for pre-season before the first round.
"You know I like challenges so if I go we are going to fight to be in the Champions League," he added.
If appointed, Mourinho would replace Turkish boss Ismail Kartal, who Fenerbahce parted ways with on Friday after only one loss in the league last season. The team's six draws proved costly in the title race however.
Mourinho, who has won trophies with clubs such as Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United, will be tasked with helping Fenerbahce win their first league title since the 2013-14 season.
The 61-year-old also helped Roma clinch their first European trophy when they won the third-tier Europa Conference League in 2022, while he also guided them to the Europa League final the following year, losing to Sevilla on penalties.
But he was sacked in January this year when Roma were ninth in Serie A. He was replaced by former Italy player Daniele De Rossi and Roma finished sixth to qualify for the Europa League.
