Former Fenerbahce Boss Jose Mourinho Passes Absurd Milestone in Redundancy Packages After Latest Sacking as Special One Eyes Premier League Return

What Happened With Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce?

Jose Mourinho’s glittering managerial career has taken him through Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, and most recently Fenerbahce. But while his trophy cabinet remains one of the most enviable in football history, his latest chapter in Turkey has added something far less glamorous to his CV.

Just six league games into the new season, Fenerbahce pulled the plug. The trigger was a painful Champions League qualifying exit to Benfica, which proved too much for the Istanbul club’s hierarchy to stomach. Mourinho was dismissed abruptly, yet walked away with an eye-watering €15 million (£13m/$18m) in compensation.

That payout was no ordinary cheque. It pushed Mourinho’s total career severance packages past the €100 million mark—an almost absurd milestone that illustrates both the cost of hiring him and the risks clubs take when appointing the self-proclaimed Special One.

The Absurd Milestone: €100 Million in Severance

Mourinho is often remembered for his touchline charisma, his tactical brilliance, and his knack for winning trophies. But another pattern has followed him from club to club: expensive exits.

Here’s the remarkable breakdown of his golden goodbyes:

• Chelsea (first spell): €20.9m

• Chelsea (second spell): €9.6m

• Real Madrid: €19.7m

• Manchester United: €22m

• Tottenham: €17.4m

• Roma: €3.5m

• Fenerbahce: €15m

Add them all together, and Mourinho has pocketed over €100 million purely from being sacked. To put that into perspective, it’s more than the transfer fee Liverpool once paid for Mohamed Salah. It’s also more than what some clubs spend across an entire summer window.

This isn’t to say Mourinho hasn’t delivered value. He has: league titles in Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain, plus two Champions League crowns. But his style—intense, combustible, and often short-lived—means clubs are almost always left with the same scenario: pay him off and move on.

Mourinho’s Response: ‘When It’s Over, It’s Over’

True to character, Mourinho didn’t indulge in lengthy explanations or emotional farewells after his Fenerbahce exit. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he told reporters. “That’s how I am; when it’s over, it’s over.”

It’s a typically pragmatic response, one that fits a man who has always thrived on looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. But behind the short soundbite lies the reality that Mourinho’s recent managerial record is mixed. At Tottenham, he left without silverware. At Roma, he enjoyed a brief renaissance with a Europa Conference League triumph but departed under strain. And at Fenerbahce, he barely had time to unpack before being shown the door.

Fenerbahce v Feyenoord – UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg

The Bigger Picture: Mourinho’s Trophy Legacy

It’s important not to let the headlines about payouts overshadow the broader narrative. Mourinho remains one of the most decorated managers of his generation. His track record speaks volumes:

• Porto: Two league titles, one UEFA Cup, one Champions League

• Chelsea: Three Premier League titles, three League Cups, one FA Cup

• Inter Milan: Two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one Champions League

• Real Madrid: One La Liga, one Copa del Rey

• Manchester United: One Europa League, one League Cup

• Roma: One Europa Conference League

Everywhere he’s gone, Mourinho has won something. That, ultimately, is why clubs keep hiring him despite the financial risk of his inevitable departures.

Did You Know? The Economics of Mourinho

What makes Mourinho’s case fascinating is the way his severance packages have almost become part of his brand. Few managers in world football are paid as handsomely to leave as Mourinho is.

Clubs know this when they hire him. His contracts are notoriously watertight, negotiated to ensure he receives maximum security. In a way, his severance history shows just how much pulling power he still has. Even in 2024, after difficult spells, Fenerbahce were willing to pay him elite-level wages—and ultimately, elite-level compensation.

What Next for Mourinho?

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Despite the Fenerbahce debacle, Mourinho remains a man in demand. His family home is still in London, and speculation is already swirling about a Premier League return. West Ham and Nottingham Forest are two clubs being mentioned.

For Mourinho, the idea of returning to England must carry appeal. The Premier League was where he became the Special One, where he cemented his reputation with Chelsea, and where his charisma shone brightest. A club like West Ham, fighting in the lower reaches, could provide him with a different kind of challenge—rebuilding, scrapping for survival, and reminding the football world that he can still inspire.

Could Mourinho Still Thrive in the Premier League?

It’s a fair question. Football has changed since Mourinho first arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004. Back then, defensive organisation, tactical discipline, and the occasional mind game were enough to dominate. Today, the Premier League is a playground for high-pressing systems, fluid attacks, and data-driven recruitment.

Can Mourinho adapt? His critics argue no. They point to Tottenham, where his defensive approach clashed with fans’ expectations. They highlight Roma, where his pragmatism often turned into conservatism.

But his supporters insist otherwise. They remind us of his uncanny ability to unite a dressing room, to foster a siege mentality, and to deliver results in knockout competitions. If West Ham or Forest need short-term stability and a sprinkle of stardust, Mourinho might just be their man.

The Special One’s Unwanted Record

In truth, Mourinho’s €100 million severance milestone is less a stain on his career and more a reflection of football’s economics. Clubs are willing to gamble big on him because they know the rewards can also be big. If it fails, they write the cheque and move on.

Still, the figure is staggering. It will follow him around, another statistic to add to his legend. For some, it undermines his aura. For others, it reinforces it: who else in football could command such sums even in failure?

Final Thoughts: The Next Chapter Awaits

Jose Mourinho remains a paradox. A serial winner who has also become a serial payout recipient. A man who can transform a club overnight, yet often leaves it in turmoil two years later. A tactician hailed for his brilliance but questioned for his stubbornness.

And yet, for all the contradictions, he is still the Special One. Clubs will continue to circle, fans will continue to debate, and football will continue to watch. Whether it’s at West Ham, Nottingham Forest, or somewhere else entirely, Mourinho’s next act is certain to be as dramatic as his last.

What’s equally certain is this: whatever happens next, the severance tally might just keep ticking upward.