Galatasaray clinched their 24th Turkish Süper Lig title in dominant fashion on Sunday, leaving fierce rivals Fenerbahçe — and their high-profile manager José Mourinho — to watch from the sidelines once again.
The Lions sealed the championship with two matches to spare following a commanding 3-0 win over Kayserispor at Rams Park. It marked their third consecutive title, capping off a campaign in which they lost only once and proved far too consistent for any challenger.
For Mourinho, the result was a bitter blow. Brought in last summer amid huge fanfare, the “Special One” was expected to end Fenerbahçe’s 11-year title drought and usher in a new era of success. Instead, his first season in Turkish football ends with a silver medal — and a sharp dose of ridicule.
Before kick-off, Galatasaray fans unfurled a biting banner mocking Mourinho as the “Most Expensive Influencer in the World” — a reference to the media circus and global attention that followed his appointment last June. The dig didn’t go unnoticed.
While Fenerbahçe enjoyed a strong campaign — maintaining second place for the majority of the season and securing a return to the UEFA Champions League via the qualifiers — the failure to topple their bitter rivals will leave a sour taste.
Mourinho, who has never been one to shy away from pressure or narrative, now finds himself at a crossroads. The public mockery from Galatasaray fans, combined with frustration among Fenerbahçe supporters and lingering questions about his long-term commitment, adds to the uncertainty surrounding his future in Istanbul.
Still, a place in the Champions League qualifiers offers a glimmer of redemption. For Fenerbahçe, a new chapter in Europe awaits. Whether Mourinho will lead them into it remains to be seen.