Jose Mourinho has been told to leave Turkish football as 'The Special One' eyes a return to the Premier League.
Mourinho is currently manager of Fenerbahce and in recent weeks has become more and more frustrated with what he perceives as a poor level of refereeing in the league, even suggesting levels of corruption to favour rival teams such as Galatasaray.
After a late win over Trabzonspor, which saw the opposition awarded two penalties, Mourinho claimed he would never have managed a Turkish club if he had known “the whole truth ... we fight opponents and the system."
He went on to claim that Turkish football "smells bad" and said his son is the "only person in London who watches Turkish football."
Mourinho was subsequently hit with a hefty fine and a one-match ban, and Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera believes the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager's presence is not doing Turkish football any good.
“The insults towards Turkish football and the fact that he is attacking some referees are things that bother me,” Muslera told Turkiye Today.
“This is the first time in 14 years that I feel obliged to make such a speech. I won 17 trophies in 14 years. If we consider my contribution, my constant aim is to advance Turkish football.
“If Mourinho, who came here four months ago, criticises Turkish football and doesn't like it, he can leave. Although nobody says anything, I think now someone can say something to him. We need to pay a little more attention to those who move Turkish football forward."
Mourinho appears open to leaving Turkish football and stated he wishes to join a club "at the bottom in England", before clarifying that he is not suited to a relegation battle amid links with Newcastle.
He said in October: "The best thing I have to do is when I leave Fener is that I go to a club that doesn’t play in UEFA competition. So, a club at the bottom in England who needs a coach in two years, I’m ready to go.”
He added days later: “I’m not going to go and fight relegation, it’s too hard. Honestly, that has to be the hardest thing, much more difficult than to play for titles. It’s very, very hard emotionally because it’s something that changes lives.
“You know, you stay in the Premier League or you’re relegated, it changes lives, changes lots of things. Brave guys that do it.”
