“One day I would like to go back” - Mourinho open to Premier League return
José Mourinho gave an extensive interview to 'Sky Sports' in which he complained about his eternal confrontation with UEFA. He does not rule out a return to the Premier League - “London is my home” - but vows loyalty to Fenerbahce for at least two seasons.
2 weeks ago
Jose Mourinho has been one of the most vocal coaches all his life when it comes to criticising the decisions of referees and official bodies. UEFA has long been in his crosshairs, but he believes it is the other way around. He is suspicious of moments like the penalty that knocked them out of the Champions League qualifiers earlier this season or the Europa League final they lost to Sevilla. In an interview with 'Sky Sports', he abounded on that and other matters such as his desire to return, one day, to the Premier League.
“The feeling is that I am in trouble in Europe. I lost a final - against Sevilla in 2023 - in a way that I still don't accept and, since then, I have had that feeling. I think it's unfair in the sense that, in football, when you have to be sanctioned, you get sanctioned, but, after you get sanctioned, we should start from scratch, but it hasn't been like that. We were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Lille with a VAR penalty in the 94th minute that only the VAR saw. I know it's a battle I can never win,” he said.
Asked if he would sign for a Premier League team fighting for relegation, he replied: “I would never go to a team fighting for relegation, never. I get very upset and I'm not at a point in my career where I can get upset. I'm at a point in my career where I want to be happy all the time and, at this moment, playing in European competitions, the truth is that I also get upset all the time, but I'm not going to fight to avoid relegation.”
“It's very hard! Honestly, I think that has to be the hardest thing. It's harder than fighting for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally because it's something that changes lives. I think the guys who do it are brave guys,” he added. “Going back to England? London is my home, so, someday, I have to go back unless nobody wants me...but, someday, I would like to go back. But don't get me wrong and let's make it very clear: for the next two years, this season and next season, no one will take me out of Fenerbahce,” he further repeated.
“The feeling is that I am in trouble in Europe. I lost a final - against Sevilla in 2023 - in a way that I still don't accept and, since then, I have had that feeling. I think it's unfair in the sense that, in football, when you have to be sanctioned, you get sanctioned, but, after you get sanctioned, we should start from scratch, but it hasn't been like that. We were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Lille with a VAR penalty in the 94th minute that only the VAR saw. I know it's a battle I can never win,” he said.
Asked if he would sign for a Premier League team fighting for relegation, he replied: “I would never go to a team fighting for relegation, never. I get very upset and I'm not at a point in my career where I can get upset. I'm at a point in my career where I want to be happy all the time and, at this moment, playing in European competitions, the truth is that I also get upset all the time, but I'm not going to fight to avoid relegation.”
“It's very hard! Honestly, I think that has to be the hardest thing. It's harder than fighting for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally because it's something that changes lives. I think the guys who do it are brave guys,” he added. “Going back to England? London is my home, so, someday, I have to go back unless nobody wants me...but, someday, I would like to go back. But don't get me wrong and let's make it very clear: for the next two years, this season and next season, no one will take me out of Fenerbahce,” he further repeated.
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