13.09.2025 16:11
Fenerbahçe's new head coach Domenico Tedesco responded to questions about referees during the signing ceremony, saying, "I never make excuses. I'm not used to talking about referee decisions. It's not forbidden for opponents to play defensively and waste time." These remarks by the young coach were interpreted as a reference to Mourinho.
A signing ceremony was held for the technical director Domenico Tedesco at the Super Lig giant Fenerbahçe.
A REMARK TO MOURINHO: I WILL NEVER MAKE EXCUSES
During the ceremony, the Italian coach was asked a question about referees. Tedesco responded to this question, saying, "I will never make excuses. I am not used to talking about referee decisions. Their job is not easy either. It is not forbidden for opponents to play defensively and waste time. There is no need to discuss or complain about what is right or wrong. Similar things were said in Russia, but I told the team not to focus on these. We cannot waste time on things we have no control over," he said. The Italian coach's words were also interpreted as a reference to Fenerbahçe's former coach, Jose Mourinho. Mourinho had made headlines with his statements about referees after matches.
"WE WILL DOMINATE THE GAME"
Continuing his statements, the young coach said, "You will never hear me say 'I just arrived, I need time.' Because that is not my method. I have watched Fenerbahçe's past matches. I know the club and the league. It is good to have Gökhan Gönül in my team. Not just him, there are others as well. Everything is good at the facility. We have a lot of work to do, and there is a lot of time at night. I am staying at the facilities now, but we will see when we will leave here. Let's get things in order now. I worked for 10 years in the Stuttgart youth system. I played with a back four there. This is my main system. During my time at Aue, the team was set up to play with a back three.
There was also a team at Schalke where I could play with a back three. I look at the offensive quality and strength of the team; this team is set up to play with a back four. Our philosophy will be to attack. We will dominate the game; it is not just about having possession of the ball, we need to score goals and create dangerous situations. We will have possession of the ball and make many attacks, we will press intensely and regain the ball quickly," he stated.