Mourinho has been fired by Fenerbahçe.
Jose Mourinho is expected to return to the Premier League after being fired by Fenerbahce for failing to qualify for this season’s Champions League group round.
Fenerbahce lost 1-0 to Benfica in the qualification play-offs on Wednesday, denying them a spot in Europe’s top tournament.
Two days later, the Super Lig club announced their decision to part ways with Mourinho, saying, “We thank him for his efforts for our team until today and wish him success in his future career.”
After taking over as manager of Fenerbahce in 2024, the 62-year-old led the club to second place in the league last season, albeit their defeat to Rangers in the Europa League round of 16 was heavily condemned.
This season, Fenerbahce has four points from their first two league games, but it was plainly insufficient, as Mourinho was fired on Friday.
Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ has long had his sights set on returning to England’s top division, and the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager has been interested in doing so for quite some time.
Mick Brown, a former United and Sunderland top scout, believes Mourinho is “open” to taking the position at Nottingham Forest.
Brown told Football Insider: “I read that Forest might look at Jose Mourinho.” I believe he would be willing to take that job because he has always wanted to return to the Premier League and has been interested in doing so for quite some time.
“He rarely spends more than two or three years at any club, so he might be looking to leave Turkey already if the opportunity comes up.”
Brown continued, “Everyone knows what he’s like; he enjoys being the center of attention. With all of the buzz about Forest right now, that might be a good fit.
“Replacing Nuno would be a contentious decision, so who better to deal with that controversy? I believe he would be interested if given the opportunity.”
Despite helping the club achieve European qualification for the first time in nearly 30 years last season, Espirito Santo’s future at the City Ground is unknown following a severance of his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Speaking at a press conference prior of their game against Crystal Palace, Espirito Santo stated that he had a “very good relationship” with the owner last season.
“We were very close and spoke daily basis,” he told me.
However, there has been a noticeable lack of communication between the two in recent months. “This season it is not so well [between us], but I always believe that dialogue is important because my concern is the squad and the season we have ahead of us,” said the coach.
“Our relationship has changed and we are not as close.”
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