Fenerbahçe drew 2-2 with Samsunspor on Sunday, despite leading twice, in a disappointing result for the club ahead of their Europa League match against Manchester United on Thursday evening.
They currently find themselves fourth in the Super Lig, eight points behind Galatasaray with a game in hand. Jose Mourinho’s side were expected to put up a big title challenge this season, so things aren’t exactly going to plan.
It would appear there’s some annoyance behind the scenes, and Mourinho could find himself in the line of fire.
Volkan Demirel is a Fenerbahçe legend, and was the club’s goalkeeper from 2002 to 2019. He’s a well known figure in Turkish football, having played for the national team from 2004 to 2014, and is building a reputation as something of an outspoken pundit.
Ahead of the big match against Manchester United, he’s spoken of the frustration around at Fener, with a growing pessimism being shared by both players and supporters.
Fanatik quote Demirel as saying: “Right now, this Fenerbahçe team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness. Why the unhappiness? Because of the environment they are in. Why the hopelessness?
“We were all expecting something. We were expecting it from Jose Mourinho, we were expecting it from the transfers that were made. We were saying let’s see after the international break, but nothing has changed at the moment, but it will obviously continue like this. We waited to see if we could see a change, a variability, but it didn’t happen.
“We have not seen any changes in the game designs of the matches played at home and away, any player preferences against the teams played, or any planned methods according to the opponent. Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbahçe play a 7-man defence? A big question mark.”
There’s absolutely no suggestions Mourinho’s job could be in danger, but there’s a clear disappointment with the start to this season given so much more was expected.
Thursday’s match against Manchester United provides the perfect opportunity to turn all of that on its head, though, and Jose Mourinho will be in his element if his team manages to do so.
