Jose Mourinho’s tone about life in Turkey in recent weeks has been quite different and more positive after his as usual visible outburst in the media and on the sidelines.
“His” club Fenerbache is in second place in the Süper Lig to strengthen, but probably not in the winter window and not with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jose Mourinho has completely cold water on rumours linking Fenerbahce to a deal for Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the Al-Nassr star has no reason to move to Turkey.
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Recent reports from Turkey claimed that Mourinho had taken a personal phone call to try and recruit Ronaldo, the 39-year-old’s contract expires next summer, but the Portuguese coach has recently described these reports as “ridiculous”.
There has been speculation that Ronaldo will leave Al-Nassr, having failed to win the Saudi Pro League during his two years at the club, and a move to Fenerbahce would give the Portuguese legend another chance to play in Europe again.
However, with Edin Dzeko, Youssef En-Nesyri and Cenk Tosun scoring 19 goals between them this season, Mourinho has insisted that he is happy with his current options and that Ronaldo would only come to Turkey “for the beauty of Istanbul”.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is not coming. The first reason is that I have three good attackers and I don’t want another one,” Mourinho said.
“Cristiano will always be Cristiano, but I don’t want him because I’m happy with my strikers. He has the money he earns in Saudi Arabia and a goal of 1000 acres. What can motivate him to come to Turkey, other than the beauty of Istanbul?”
Mourinho and Ronaldo still enjoy a strong relationship, having worked together at Real Madrid when the striker had the most productive period of his career. Fenerbahce will have hoped that a move for Ronaldo would help them close the gap to leaders Galatasaray, who have a six-point lead.
However, Mourinho insisted that he did not push for any arrivals in January due to the adjustment period some players may face when they move mid-season.
“I don’t really like the January transfer window because the player who arrives needs a certain amount of time,” Mourinho said.
“I never say no to a transfer, but I don’t knock on [directors] Ali Bey’s or Acun Bey’s door and say I want a transfer.”
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