Jose Mourinho’s VAR Complaint: “A War I Can Never Win”
Fenerbahce’s head coach, Jose Mourinho, made striking comments in an interview with Sky Sports, reflecting on his time with the yellow-navy team. Discussing the VAR interventions in Fenerbahce’s matches this season, Mourinho stated, “I don’t find it fair that you get punished when you should be. After being punished, you need to start anew on a clean slate. This season, we were eliminated from the Champions League in the 94th minute against Lille due to a VAR penalty decision. This Thursday, when everyone in the stadium was shouting ‘penalty, penalty,’ VAR did not intervene. Later, I received a red card. It’s a war I can never win.”
Emphasizing that all coaches should be treated equally, Mourinho said, “I should be treated like everyone else. It doesn’t matter if you are Lionel Messi on the field or making your debut. The rules are the same for Messi and for a young kid. This applies to coaches as well. Whether you are Carlo Ancelotti or a young coach, it doesn’t matter. Ancelotti and a young coach deserve the same treatment. I want this for myself too. I don’t want special treatment. I just want honesty. If I’ve done something wrong, I should be punished, but if I haven’t, let me be. It has become tougher since the final in Budapest.”
When asked if he would return to the Premier League, Mourinho replied, “I joked about not being in Europe. I simply will not coach a team fighting to avoid relegation. I will never do that. I’m sorry, but I am not in a bad period of my career. I’m in a happy time where I can play in European competitions. I can’t be in a team trying to avoid relegation. That’s very tough! I think it’s very tough. It’s a very different situation from winning trophies. Emotionally, it’s very challenging because it’s a life-changing event. Only brave people can do that.”
Mourinho stated that he will stay in Istanbul until his contract with Fenerbahce ends, saying, “I have managed three teams in different positions in England. I loved working in England. I feel lucky to have lived in many cities, but especially for my family living in London. London is my home. I will return to the Premier League when someone wants me back. I will definitely return. But I must say that I am the head coach of Fenerbahce this season and next.”
Summarizing his time in Turkey, Mourinho expressed, “Istanbul is a magnificent city. I live in Europe and cross to Asia every day. After training, I return to Europe to sleep. It’s easier to go to the facilities in Istanbul than to go to Chelsea’s training in London. I’ve stayed at the facilities a few times. This is a normal thing. I cannot lose my desire and hunger. I remember the times when Sir Alex invited me at Old Trafford when I was at Real Madrid. We tried to look at each other and relax, but we couldn’t. Playing against United was a pleasure. There hasn’t been success for 10 years. The president is wonderful, the fans are good, the players are good, the history is great, but there has been no championship for 10 years. I won’t talk about that. We only lost to Lille and Galatasaray. Here, the winning side looks like the best in the world, and the losing side looks like the worst team in the world.”
