19.09.2025 12:00
Ali Koç responded sharply to Jose Mourinho, who criticized him regarding the transfer of Kerem Aktürkoğlu during a press conference held in Benfica. Koç stated that he found the Portuguese coach's remarks to be sarcastic, saying, "A coach at this level diminishes himself by speaking like this. You need to adapt to the position Mourinho is in. There is a saying, 'Only the dead and the fools do not change.'"
Jose Mourinho, who took over Benfica, targeted Ali Koç in a statement after leaving Fenerbahçe, saying, "I close the door when I leave clubs. Ali Koç, however, spoke several times after my departure. He did not explain why he only transferred Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who eliminated us, after he eliminated us."
ALI KOÇ RESPONDED SHARPLY
Ali Koç, who was a guest on Now Spor, responded to Mourinho's remarks, saying, "All the players from the season we finished with 99 points and 99 goals have regressed. One player plays well one week, and the next week he can't make the first 18; we don't know why. Mourinho is sending pointed messages, but I will remember him well. However, a coach at this level diminishes himself by speaking through a player."
"DEAD MEN AND FOOLS DO NOT CHANGE"
Koç also stated that Mourinho could not adapt to Fenerbahçe, saying, "There is a saying; only dead men and fools do not change. Mourinho needed to adapt to where he was. He needed to change a bit more after the first season."
"HE IS DIMINISHING HIMSELF"
Responding sharply to Mourinho's comments about Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Koç said, "A coach at this level diminishes himself by speaking like this. He completely ties a team like Fenerbahçe to a single player and brings the conversation back to him. I disagree; he knows best, it's his own business," he said.
Speaking about the Kerem transfer, Koç said, "He said the same thing to the sporting director. He said, 'I wish you had signed him earlier.' But the guy is not giving him! He won't give him until the Champions League is over. Kerem, like a characterful player, did his best, and it was God's twist that he scored the goal," he explained the process.