Mário Branco is out as Fenerbahçe’s sports director. The Turkish club made the announcement, and it’s a significant move. José Mourinho paid tribute to Branco, saying he’s the best.
Mourinho wrote on Instagram: “It’s hard to say someone’s the best without disrespecting other great directors I’ve worked with. But I can say with certainty, no one’s better than you. Your combination of technical skill, integrity, and humanity is hard to find.”
Branco joined Fenerbahçe in June 2022, taking the reins of the club’s football operations. He got promoted to sports director just a year later. The 49-year-old has had a successful career, working at clubs like Leixões, Estoril, and Famalicão in his home country, as well as Astra Ploiesti in Romania, Hajduk Split in Croatia, and PAOK Salónica in Greece.
Fenerbahçe acknowledged Branco’s contributions, saying he made significant impacts on the club’s football department. This includes planning the squad, transfers, and setting up the team’s technical structure for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.
Now that Branco’s gone, it’s a big change for the club. We’ll see what’s next for him and Fenerbahçe.
Branco’s Career Highlights
- Started at Fenerbahçe in June 2022
- Promoted to sports director in 2023
- Worked at Leixões, Estoril, Famalicão, Astra Ploiesti, Hajduk Split, and PAOK Salónica
What Mourinho Said
Mourinho praised Branco’s technical skills and integrity. He wrote on Instagram: “I’ll genuinely miss working with you. I hope we get to work together again someday.”