
‘I Was Better Than Him!’ – Jose Mourinho Savaged by Galatasaray Manager Following Fenerbahce Sacking as Special One Looks to Rebuild Reputation After Flopping in Turkey
Mourinho vs Buruk: A Rivalry Written in Fire
It was only supposed to be a short stop in Istanbul, another chapter in the long, chaotic saga of Jose Mourinho’s managerial career. Instead, his single season at Fenerbahce will be remembered less for the football and more for the fireworks — both on and off the pitch.
And at the center of that firestorm stood Okan Buruk, the Galatasaray boss who not only beat Mourinho to the Turkish Super Lig title but also claims he “was better” than the legendary Portuguese in every sense.
“He hasn’t upgraded himself as a coach,” Buruk told The Athletic. “He’s not focused like before. He tried everything, inside and outside the pitch, but in the end we were better. I was better.”
It is a savage assessment, and one that cuts deep given Mourinho’s decorated past. But it also reflects a rivalry that turned toxic, entertaining, and unforgettable in equal measure.
The Feud: From Banter to Brawls
Mourinho has always thrived on conflict. From Arsène Wenger to Pep Guardiola, from referees to reporters, he has made spats his personal theater. But his Turkish feud with Buruk was different — more visceral, more personal, and at times more ridiculous.
The flashpoint came in February 2025, when Mourinho accused the Galatasaray bench of “jumping like monkeys.” What might once have been brushed off as a cheap insult instead spiraled into racism accusations, a lawsuit, and a four-game touchline ban.
Things didn’t cool from there. In April, after Galatasaray knocked Fenerbahce out of the Turkish Cup with a 2-1 win, Mourinho pinched Buruk’s nose in a bizarre show of contempt. The Galatasaray coach went down theatrically, sparking a touchline melee that saw three red cards issued.
“I exaggerated,” Buruk admitted later with a grin, “but he gave me the chance to exaggerate.”
Fenerbahce accused him of “acting like he was shot,” while Mourinho doubled down in the press. It was pantomime, pure and simple — but it also symbolized just how bitter their rivalry had become.
‘I Was Better Than Him’ – Buruk on Winning the Rivalry

jose mourinho benfica
Away from the theatrics, Buruk had the ultimate weapon: results. Galatasaray went unbeaten in three meetings with Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, claiming two wins and a draw on the way to a third straight league crown.
“He doesn’t just play inside the pitch,” Buruk said. “He wants to play outside too. He tried his tricks, but in the end, we were better. I was better. We won the title against him.”
That third consecutive title was not just another medal for Buruk. It was a statement of supremacy over Mourinho, who had arrived in Istanbul with fanfare, bold words, and a reputation that still carried global weight. In the end, the Special One left humbled, beaten, and ultimately sacked.
Brutal Verdict on Mourinho’s Methods
Buruk’s assessment of Mourinho goes further than personal rivalry. He believes Mourinho is a coach out of time, clinging to old methods in a game that has moved on.
“He’s not focused like before,” Buruk said. “He hasn’t changed. He hasn’t upgraded himself. He has charisma, yes, but charisma isn’t enough anymore. Football evolves every year — and maybe he hasn’t.”
For a manager who once reshaped modern football with his tactical brilliance at Porto, Chelsea, and Inter, that is a damning charge. But it is not without merit. Mourinho’s pragmatic, combative style has looked increasingly outdated in a world dominated by positional play, high pressing, and fluid attacking structures.
His struggles at Tottenham, his short stint at Roma, and now his failed Turkish adventure all suggest a man whose aura still shines but whose methods no longer terrify.
Mourinho’s Next Chapter: Benfica and a Stamford Bridge Reunion
Yet if history has taught us anything, it is never to write off Mourinho entirely.
Now at Benfica, the club where his top-level career began briefly in 2000, Mourinho is seeking redemption. His return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League — this time in charge of the Eagles, not the Blues — promises a night thick with narrative.
Chelsea fans will always hold mixed emotions about him: two spells, three Premier League titles, and endless memories. But for Mourinho, the trip is not just about nostalgia. It is about proving that the Special One still has special nights left in him.
Galatasaray’s Rise Under Buruk

Jose Mourinho
While Mourinho tries to rebuild, Buruk is on an upward trajectory. Having dominated domestically, his focus is firmly on Europe.
In 2023-24, his Galatasaray side shattered records with a 102-point season. In 2024-25, they proved their supremacy again by holding off Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. This summer, they doubled down, bringing in marquee names such as Leroy Sané, Ilkay Gündogan, and sealing a permanent deal for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
The ambition is clear: to replicate the famous 2000 side, in which Buruk himself played, that lifted the UEFA Cup. “Europe is the next step,” Buruk said. “Domestic dominance is not enough. We want to show we can beat the best.”
Their Champions League draw will test that resolve: Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, and Manchester City await. It is as brutal a group as any, but Buruk sees it as a platform.
A Manager on the Rise
At 51, Buruk is not shy about his ambitions. He has already hinted at a desire to one day manage in the Premier League. If he can lead Galatasaray through a Champions League gauntlet, his stock will soar.
In many ways, Buruk is the anti-Mourinho: low-profile as a player compared to the global superstar coach, but quietly building a managerial résumé on modern, attacking football and steady progress. Where Mourinho thrives on drama, Buruk channels focus. Where Mourinho talks about respect, Buruk insists on evolution.
Two Men, Two Directions
The Mourinho-Buruk rivalry may have lasted only a year, but it encapsulated the larger story of their careers. One man clinging to his aura, trying to summon old magic; the other hungry, evolving, ready to step into the spotlight.
For Mourinho, Benfica represents another chance, perhaps his last at the top tier. For Buruk, Galatasaray’s European adventure could be the launchpad to greater things.
And as Buruk himself put it: “In the end, we were better than him. I was better than him.”
It was meant as a verdict on a single season. It may turn out to be the epitaph of Mourinho’s once-unrivalled dominance.
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