FENERBAHCE have been consumed by “unhappiness and hopelessness” under new boss Jose Mourinho’s steerage.
The Turkish giants are winlesss in October as Mourinho gears up to face his former side Man Utd for their Europa League clash in Istanbul on Thursday.
Fenerbahce were expected to mount a title challenge when they recruited serial winner Mourinho, who was axed by Roma in the summer – but things aren’t exactly going to plan.
The Super Lig side find themselves fourth and eight points behind leaders Galatasaray after twice throwing away the lead in their 2-2 draw with Samsunspor on Sunday.
And now club legend Volkan Demirel has provided a damning verdict on Fenerbahce’s dip in form.
Demirel told Turkish outlet Fanatik: “Right now, this Fenerbahce team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness.
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“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.
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“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.”
Fenerbahce brought in former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin on loan from Al-Ahli as well as ex-Man Utd loanee Sofyan Amrabat as they spent £40.8million this summer.
The former Chelsea boss made headlines last week after ripping up ex-Rangers forward Ryan Kent’s contract in the 16th month of his four-year-deal.
But there’s absolutely no suggestions Mourinho’s job could be in danger, with Fenerbahce winning five of their opening eight league games.
Thursday’s game is a big one for Erik ten Hag as well, with many believing a defeat to Mourinho would be too much for fans to bear.
The Man Utd boss is winless in the Europa League this season, having drawn 1-1 with Dutch side Twente at Old Trafford and crawling back to 3-3 away at Porto.
In fact, in his last 10 European games Ten Hag has won just once, which came against Copenhagen in the group stage of last season’s Champions League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
