"José Mourinho becomes Fenerbahçe's new coach, fans heartily welcome him: 'This shirt is now my skin'"
At the Şükrü Saracoğlu stadium, amidst an uproarious crowd, the Portuguese coach penned his contract with the Yellow Canaries next to club president Ali Koç.
"I'm grateful for this overwhelming affection!" Mourinho proclaimed, "Usually, coaches receive adoration following triumphs. But in this case, it feels like I'm cherished even prior to success."
"This immense responsibility resonates with me. My declaration - from now on, I'm yours. This uniform is my skin."
Mourinho had been out of a job, fired by AS Roma in January. Distinguished as one of the most notable coaches amongst his peers, he led various teams including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
His laurels encompass Champions League triumphs at Inter Milan and Porto, a Europa League victory with United, and a Conference League crown with Roma.
"Football signifies passion, and there's no more captivating place to experience it. Being greeted by President Ali Koç, I yearned to bolster your ranks. I desired to represent you. I aspired to be your coach."
"Our acquaintance, coupled with his goals and vision, determined my yearning to join forces with you. I longed to be your coach."
"I yearn for Turkish football, I long for the Turkish league's growth. But this isn't about Turkish football or the Turkish league; it's Fenerbahçe."
"On a final note, I vow that from the moment I inked this arrangement, your aspirations become my aspirations."
Serving as Fenerbahçe's new boss, Mourinho succeeds İsmail Kartal, who left the club at the end of the season. The team terminated the season in second place, losing only one match but falling three points behind Galatasaray, their fierce competitor.
In a statement released by the club, Koç addressed Mourinho as a "living legend" and affirmed, "Next season, our objective is to emerge as Turkish league champions."
Fenerbahçe's 2nd place result last season affirms their placement in the tournament's second round of qualifiers, with a necessity to triumph in three matches to bypass the qualifying phase and secure a berth in the competition's revamped league phase.
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The first day of training under Mourinho was filled with enthusiasm, as he encouraged the team to gain motivation from their love for football and the color yellow, synonymous with Fenerbahçe.
In the upcoming matches, Mourinho reiterated his commitment to the team, stating, "Football is our passion, and I am here to lead Fenerbahçe towards victory, just as I have done with other prestigious clubs."
