Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has said the Europa League is “better suited to our level of play” after the Turkish giants failed to qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League.
Mourinho’s side drew 1-1 in extra time with Lille on Tuesday, a result that saw them crash out of the third qualifying round of a major European competition, losing 3-2 on aggregate.
“I am experienced and realistic enough to say that in the Champions League we have no chance of reaching the final stage of the competition,” Mourinho said after the game. “In the Europa League we will have a chance because we will be playing against teams of our level.
“It would be nice to play in the Champions League, but we will never get the chance to go far in the competition. The Europa League suits our level better.
“We lose financially. The Champions League is a vital boost for the club and we lose the opportunity to play against the biggest teams in the world. But we won’t win the Champions League, we won’t get to the Champions League final. We might beat one or two big teams… We might do well in the Europa League, but only, only, only, you can say if.”
Mourinho, who won the Champions League with FC Porto and Inter Milan, has already stressed that his top priority this season is to end Fenerbahce’s 10-year Süper Lig title drought.
Mourinho, who signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahce just six months after being sacked by Roma, knows that competing in all areas will be more difficult given the revamped European competitions.
“I don’t even know why the Europa League is like this,” said the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager. “Like the Champions League, I don’t know why. We have to adapt to something new for everyone.
“We’re playing eight games instead of six by December. Basically we’re playing every weekday. It’s a bit of a weird competition. We’re playing eight games, four at home, four away, against opponents who only play at home and against opponents who only play away.
“It’s strange, but it’s true. Money makes the decisions and we have to adapt to it. I hope our Super League rivals face the same situation. But it won’t be easy. We have a good squad and we will try to keep the team fresh. I want to instill in the team the ambition to achieve good results.”
