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2:3 out! Mourinho is embarrassed: first time eliminated in the qualifying round, no Champions League for 4 years, Lian Po is too old

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On August 14, the second leg of the 2024-25 Champions League play-off round concluded, with Fenerbahçe, managed by José Mourinho, falling short of qualification for the group stage. The Turkish side, led by the former Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid coach, was defeated in extra time with an aggregate score of 2-3. This marked the end of Mourinho's quest to reach the Champions League, with his last appearance dating back to 2020 when he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

Following his dismissal from AS Roma midway through the previous season, Mourinho received a lucrative offer from Fenerbahçe, which included an annual salary in the tens of millions. Upon arriving in Turkey, the club's management showed significant support for the Portuguese tactician, spending over 100 million yuan on transfers for five new signings, including Allan Saint-Maximin, Caglar Soyuncu, and Islam Slimani. At his unveiling, Mourinho expressed confidence in bringing silverware to the club.

As runners-up in the Turkish Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe had to navigate through the Champions League qualifiers to secure a spot in the main tournament. After overcoming Lugano in the third qualifying round, they faced French side Lille in the play-offs. A 1-2 away loss in the first leg meant Fenerbahçe needed a victory in the home fixture to progress. Throughout the match, both teams had similar shot counts, and it took until the 91st minute for Diakité's own goal to level the tie. However, fortune continued to elude Mourinho, as a handball by Ozturk in extra time led to a decisive penalty for Lille, converted by Jonathan David, which secured their place in the group stage with a 3-2 aggregate win.

With Fenerbahçe's elimination, Mourinho's dream of leading the team into the Champions League was dashed, marking the first time in his managerial career that he failed to qualify for the competition. His last Champions League match came on March 10, 2020, when his Tottenham Hotspur side lost 0-3 to Leipzig in the round of 16, resulting in a 0-4 aggregate defeat.

Prior to the second leg against Lille, Mourinho had already tempered expectations, stating, "The club has never told me that I must participate in the Champions League. If someone asks me if we can win the Champions League, I'll say everything is possible, but I don't believe in miracles. Winning the Europa League is more realistic, but if given a choice, I'd choose the Champions League."

Mourinho, known for his intense rivalry with Pep Guardiola, has a storied managerial career, but his fortunes have waned since departing Manchester United. If he fails to guide Fenerbahçe to success in the Europa League or to the Turkish title, it may prove challenging for the 61-year-old to return to coaching in one of Europe's top five leagues.