Jose Mourinho Insists He’s Still Not at the ‘Peak’ of His Career as Fenerbahce Boss Confirms Portugal Return Plan

Mourinho Declares Ambition for a Triumphant Return to Portugal

When most managers in their 60s start talking about homecomings, it usually signals the beginning of a gentle wind-down to an illustrious career. But not for Jose Mourinho. The self-proclaimed “Special One” has never done things by the book, and his latest comments only reinforce that. After guiding Fenerbahce to a pre-season friendly win over Portimonense, Jose Mourinho shared a rare moment of introspection, outlining not just his ambition to return to his homeland but his determination to do so while still in his prime.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking to Sport TV following the friendly fixture, Jose Mourinho confirmed that he does plan to coach in Portugal once again. But this, he emphasized, is no romantic farewell tour. The 62-year-old, whose resume includes Champions League titles with Porto and Inter Milan, Premier League triumphs with Chelsea, and a La Liga crown with Real Madrid, made it crystal clear that this isn’t about ending his career on familiar soil—it’s about proving that he’s still got what it takes at the very highest level.

“I’ll definitely come to Portugal. It hasn’t happened yet, but it will,” Jose Mourinho began. “Not because I feel close to finishing. I feel far from it. I don’t want to come to Portugal for a golden retreat or for the final years of my career. I want to come to Portugal at a peak in my career, in good health, and in physical and mental strength. I’ll definitely return.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

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This isn’t just typical Jose Mourinho bravado. It’s a statement of intent. Few managers in world football have consistently challenged themselves across multiple leagues like the Portuguese tactician. Since emerging from obscurity with his shock Champions League win at Porto in 2004, Jose Mourinho has rarely looked back. His journey has taken him through some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and although the past few years haven’t yielded the kind of silverware he once collected routinely, his hunger is unmistakably still there.

He’s won 26 trophies in a glittering managerial career that has spanned two decades. And while his recent stints with Tottenham Hotspur and Roma ended without league titles, he still managed to add a Europa Conference League to his cabinet—becoming the first manager to win all three current UEFA club competitions in the process.

WHAT MOURINHO SAID

As always, Jose Mourinho managed to blend humour with insight during his post-match remarks. When asked whether he was aiming for a return with a national team or a club, he left the door wide open: “Club or national team? Anything. Not Portimonense, because they have a good coach.”

This quip was classic Jose Mourinho—sharp, playful, but also laced with genuine respect for the craft of management. It also hints that he’s keeping his options open. While many suspect his return might align with a long-rumoured role as manager of the Portuguese national team, Mourinho himself appears open to a high-profile club return on home soil. Whether that means a stint with one of the nation’s traditional big three—Porto, Benfica, or Sporting—remains to be seen.

A MAN STILL ON A MISSION

Despite being in the latter stages of his managerial life cycle, Jose Mourinho’s words reveal that he doesn’t see himself as winding down. In fact, he seems to believe his best work may still lie ahead. This perspective isn’t just about confidence—it’s about legacy. A triumphant return to Portugal, leading either a top club or the national side to glory, would add another chapter to an already remarkable story.

It’s also worth noting the personal resonance that such a move might hold. Jose Mourinho was born in Setúbal, and though his professional career has largely been spent abroad, his identity remains firmly rooted in Portuguese football. A return home would bring things full circle, but in classic Jose Mourinho fashion, he wants to do it on his terms, with something to prove and everything to play for.

THE ROAD AHEAD IN TURKEY

In the short term, Jose Mourinho’s future remains tied to Turkey. His contract with Fenerbahce runs until 2026, and expectations are high. After finishing second in the Turkish Super Lig last season, Fenerbahce fans are hoping Jose Mourinho’s arrival can push them over the line and end their long wait for domestic dominance. The squad is talented, and with Mourinho’s knack for building mentally tough sides, there’s cautious optimism in Istanbul.

Fenerbahce also provides Jose Mourinho a platform to refine and prove his methods away from the hyper-scrutiny of the top-five European leagues. It’s a proving ground, but one where success will still mean a great deal. Should he manage to deliver a league title or make a deep run in European competition, Jose Mourinho will have every reason to feel justified in declaring himself still at the peak of his career.

MOURINHO’S LEGACY: EVOLVING OR ENDURING?

Some critics argue that Jose Mourinho’s tactics and management style belong to a bygone era. They point to his increasingly short tenures and reports of dressing room discontent as signs of a waning influence. But Jose Mourinho would argue otherwise—and so would the results, at least on occasion.

His win percentages remain respectable. His ability to get players to buy into a short-term mission is unrivalled. And his gift for creating an “us against the world” mentality still resonates with many teams, particularly underdog squads with a chip on their shoulder.

If he can achieve success at Fenerbahce and follow that up with a fruitful return to Portugal, Jose Mourinho could well rewrite the final chapters of his managerial story on his own terms. He doesn’t just want to fade away into punditry or ceremonial roles. He wants to win—and win where it all began.

WHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

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Looking ahead, all eyes will be on how Jose Mourinho’s tenure at Fenerbahce unfolds. Should he deliver the kind of success that has defined his past glories, that long-anticipated return to Portugal could come sooner rather than later.

For now, though, he remains the same man football fans have known for two decades—confident, complex, controversial, and endlessly compelling. Whether in Turkey, Portugal, or somewhere else entirely, the world will be watching. Jose Mourinho isn’t done yet. Not by a long shot.