Mourinho to Fenerbahce Fans: 'You're Not Sadder Than Us!'

Jose Mourinho, the manager of Fenerbahce, addressed the club's supporters after a 2-0 home loss to Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League. He emphasized that the players share the fans' disappointment and are equally committed to overcoming the current challenges.

In the post-match press conference, Mourinho stated, 'The fans are sad, but they are not sadder than us. We must remain calm. In football, results are the most important thing. When you're always winning, results may not seem as significant. But in moments like these, you realize how crucial they are.'

When questioned about the crowd's reaction to defender Samet Akaydin, whose error led to Bilbao's opening goal, Mourinho defended his player: 'I don't think it affected him because he responded well in the first half. The team played well in the first half. The 0-1 scoreline in the second half wasn't fair. The 0-2 result felt like a knife to my chest. These reactions are upsetting, but I don't criticize the fans.'

This defeat, following a recent loss to Besiktas, has intensified scrutiny of Mourinho's position. However, his comments reflect a determination to steer Fenerbahce back on course, urging unity between the team and its supporters during this challenging period.