Jose Mourinho accused of generating ‘unhappiness & hopelessness’ in Fenerbahce dressing room as ex-Chelsea boss sees tactics questioned ahead of Man Utd reunion

The Portuguese manager is currently preparing for a reunion with his former club Manchester United as Fenerbahce face the Premier League giants in a Europa League clash on Thursday. Ahead of the encounter, Mourinho has been accused of generating “unhappiness and hopelessness” in the dressing room at Fenerbahce, who have endured a turbulent start to the season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Turkish giants have failed to win a single game in October and were held to a 2-2 draw by Samsunspor in their last Super Lig outing after squandering the lead twice. Fenerbahce are currently fourth in the Super Lig and eight points behind table-toppers Galatasaray.

  WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Speaking to Fanatik, legendary former Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan Demirel said: “Right now, this Fenerbahce 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 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. Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbahce play a seven-man defence? A big question mark.”

• AFP

  WHAT NEXT FOR JOSE MOURINHO?

  Mourinho will be eager to prove a point to his former employers United after his bitter exit from Old Trafford in December 2018, and get Fenerbahce back on the winning path when they welcome Erik ten Hag’s side to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday night.