Jose Mourinho: I would pack my bags and leave

Jose Mourinho made striking statements about Fenerbahçe and Turkish football. Jose Mourinho stated that he loves the high-pressure atmosphere and that Fenerbahçe concluded the transfer window successfully.

Giving an exclusive interview to HT Spor, the Portuguese manager said he does not believe everything he hears about Turkish football, stating, "I don't believe that the manager of one of the title-contending teams is a very close friend of some referees. Because if I believed that, I would already pack my bags and leave. Because that is not football."

Adding that he is satisfied with the team's transfer policy, Mourinho said that the failure of Turkish teams in European qualifiers might be related to the late closing of the transfer window. Mourinho also stated that the transfer period has ended for the yellow-navy club.

Reiterating his criticisms regarding referees in relation to Galatasaray, Mourinho also shared his views on the yellow-red team's new signing, Victor Osimhen.

Highlights from Mourinho's statements:

"I said this jersey is my skin, but this is not the first time I've experienced this feeling. This is my sense of professionalism. I am not important at any club I go to. The club, the fans, and the players are important. Those dreams are important. I am just someone trying to help them achieve what they want to achieve. The statement that this jersey is my skin is true. Look, I put on what I'm wearing at 8 in the morning. I will take it off at the earliest at 7 in the evening when I go home. What I mean is, I am one of them. I will fight for them and do my best."

"I LOVE THE PRESSURE"

"The big players coming to the country, even for different teams, the people's emotions, their expectations... For example, if you go to one of the big clubs in England where there are high expectations, there are only journalists in the dressing room and no one outside. People there only experience football emotionally for 90 minutes a week. They have different lives for the rest of the week. When I was working at Chelsea, my house was a 10-minute walk from the stadium. When the match was over, I would walk home. If I went out to walk in Turkey, I couldn't walk 10 meters."

"But I love the pressure, I love the emotion, I love the way people experience this. Of course, if we can leave elements like too much violence, too much aggression, or whatever outside the door, or manage to keep them under control, I think it's a great environment to work in. Also, working in a city with so many clubs is great."

"IF I STAY HERE FOR TWO YEARS"

"You should ask many foreign managers who have worked at different clubs why the former managers at Fenerbahçe could not become champions. If I stay here for two years and haven't won the championship at the end of two years, then I would like to meet with you and explain why I couldn't. Because then I would be in a position to explain it."

"THIS IS MY WHOLE FOCUS!"

"I've heard too many things. If I believed everything I heard, I would pack my bags and run away. I don't believe everything I listen to. I prefer to learn for myself. Turkish managers understand the culture here better. They know the country better, they understand it better. That's why I am also trying to learn as much as I can about the characteristics of the Turkish League. This is my whole focus. For example, I don't believe that the manager of one of the title-contending teams is a very close friend of some referees. Because if I believed that, I would already pack my bags and leave. Because that is not football."

"It is probably easier for Turkish managers to adapt culturally. This is already their natural habitat. I left Portugal 20 years ago and worked in four different countries. I have always had the ability to learn quickly, adapt quickly, and win trophies. That is what I will try to do here as well."

"THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS CLOSED FOR US"

"Fenerbahçe did very right things in the transfer market. There is one thing; maybe I am wrong, but this is my feeling. The difficulty Turkish clubs face in the preliminary and play-off matches they play for European tournaments has a connection with the transfer window closing later. I think it is a situation that can provide an advantage in a sense. In most countries, they get the opportunity to buy players they wouldn't be able to get when the transfer window closes, but on the other hand, it also causes difficulties. For example, when we were playing against Lugano and Lille, except for our players who were not in training due to the European Championship, the transfer season had not ended for us. This is never a criticism, this is the reality. Now we have reached the end of the transfer period. I would like to state that the transfer window is closed for us. It can close today, and I think the club did a good job."

"THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN GALATASARAY'S MATCHES"

"I think there is a different perspective towards Galatasaray. I think so. It is something against my nature. Because I think everyone is the same for 90 minutes. Whether the manager is Guardiola, Ancelotti, or Jurgen Klopp, or a young manager with a few weeks of experience, the rules are the same for them. They need to behave the same way. Whether it's Cristiano on the field, Messi, or 16-year-old Deniz playing his first match against us, the rules are the same for everyone. The status of the club doesn't matter. Whether it's a big club or a small club. Even if it's a team coming from the second division, the rules are the same for everyone. When we look at Galatasaray's local matches, there is a difference. There is a difference. And this is contrary to the credibility of the league. Especially if you want your league to be respected abroad as well."

"THESE THINGS NEED TO END"

"Maybe people might say you are not humble. Okay, I am not humble. But I think my being here makes the league attract more attention. I think these things need to end for this league to be credible abroad. There is no Galatasaray, no Fenerbahçe, no Beşiktaş. There is nothing. There are teams, managers, players, and it is the same for everyone. That is my opinion."

"I SAW THAT REFEREE IN THE GALATASARAY MATCH"

"I am happier when I talk about very good things regarding the referee. In our last home match, there was a young referee, 30 years old. He had officiated 3 or 4 matches in the Turkish league. He controlled the game very well. This gives me more pleasure. When we drew 2-2 away against Göztepe, I congratulated the referee at the end of the match. This gives me pleasure. I criticize the referee at the end of a match we won 5-0 because that first half is unacceptable. The decisions he made are unacceptable. I saw that referee in Galatasaray's first match too. It was as different as black and white. I am not just talking about myself. I work for Fenerbahçe, but at the same time, I work for Turkish football. I think I have responsibilities to improve a product. Because at the end of the day, you have to sell this product. You need to earn more money to reinvest in football."

"OSIMHEN THROWS HIMSELF TO THE GROUND TOO MUCH"

"Osimhen is a great player. If I were at a club with the potential to pay 70-75 million euros, I would buy him. He is a great player. Of course, he came under different conditions. But at the end of the day, the conditions don't matter. Galatasaray bought a great player. I don't have a problem with Osimhen. On the contrary, we have a very good relationship. But every time I play against him, I talk to him because I don't like his behavior. He throws himself to the ground too much. I told him this. The last time I talked to him was during the Roma-Napoli match. I said to him, 'Look! You are one of the two good African players. You and Salah. In the past, there were Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, George Weah... You cannot behave like this.' He throws himself to the ground too much. That is my problem with him. But 10 minutes later, we are fine. But for the Turkish League and Galatasaray, of course, he is a very good player."

"I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR ALI KOÇ"

"President Ali Koç, he is the most important person in my professional life. I would describe him as a person in love. A passionate person. In love with his family, in love with his club... He can call me at 9 in the morning, 9 in the evening, at midnight. He is truly in love with his club. I had the privilege of meeting his wonderful family. A man in love with his family, with his life. He is my president, and I have to respect him. But apart from that, I also have great respect for him as a human being."

"SOME PLAYERS HAVE PROBLEMS IN THIS CULTURE"

"I think I said everything when I came to the fans. For example, the silence of the Bernabeu at Real Madrid was a difficult situation for the players to deal with. Because silence meant we are not happy. Here, sometimes when a player makes a bad pass, he gets a reaction. I know this, but this is the culture. We cannot change this. As a club, we have to be very smart. When choosing the new ones we buy, we need players with a certain character. Because sometimes players cannot handle this. They will have problems succeeding in a culture like Fenerbahçe's. I thank the fans for the support they gave in the Lugano, Lille, and two league matches. They should enjoy being with us. It is one thing to come to the match as a fan, as a spectator, and another to come and play the match. I think they want to play every match, that is my feeling."

"I WOULD NOT BE HAPPY IN THE NATIONAL TEAM"

"My goal is to be successful at Fenerbahçe and for them to want me to stay longer. That is my goal. I have had national team opportunities in the past, but I always rejected them. It is not a job where I would be happy. 1 or 2 matches a month, traveling to watch players, waiting for tournaments... I have too much energy to spend right now. Maybe one day when I am old and tired, but not today."