Fenerbahce coach José Mourinho has become the target of playful mockery following his team’s disappointing 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Galatasaray in the highly anticipated Istanbul derby. This defeat was particularly significant as it marked Fenerbahce’s first loss of the season, leaving them five points adrift of the league leaders and raising questions about their title ambitions.
In the wake of the match, Galatasaray took to social media to troll Mourinho, posting a creatively photoshopped image of a book titled “The Crying One,” which featured a sad-looking Mourinho on the cover. This light-hearted jab cleverly referenced Mourinho’s well-known moniker, “The Special One,” and was accompanied by the caption, “On sale in stores around Kadıköy,” poking fun at the location of Fenerbahce’s home ground.
The trolling didn’t stop there; during the match itself, Galatasaray’s social media team posted, “Seems like we’re cooking a special one tonight,” as their team maintained a commanding 3-1 lead. This added another layer of mockery, highlighting their dominance in the derby. Furthermore, they shared a photo of Mourinho standing behind Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk with the caption, “The winner one,” emphasizing the stark contrast in their fortunes on the day.
Mourinho, who joined Fenerbahce in the summer, opted to leave the stadium immediately after the defeat without attending the post-match press conference, indicating his disappointment and perhaps frustration with the outcome. The seasoned coach is now tasked with the challenge of ending Fenerbahce’s decade-long Super Lig title drought, a feat that will require significant effort and strategy moving forward.
Looking ahead, Mourinho's next test will be a Europa League opener against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, where he will aim to galvanize his squad and restore confidence following this setback. The pressure is mounting as fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how he navigates this pivotal moment in his tenure at the club.