Famed football manager José Mourinho delivered a defiant message to supporters amid reports he is set to undergo surgery in his native Portugal during the winter break. The current Fenerbahce coach revealed he will have a “quick, minor” procedure to address a health issue, but vowed it would not cause him to miss a single training session upon the team’s return in January.
In a video posted on his Instagram account, the 61-year-old Mourinho sought to put fans’ minds at ease, stating, “For those of you that have shown concern, I can confirm reports of my surgery have been greatly exaggerated, it’s just a quick and minor procedure. I will resume training on the first day back from the holidays, as always. I’ve never missed a session in 25 years, and I don’t intend to start now.”
A Defiant Declaration
Mourinho’s forceful commitment to be back on the training pitch without interruption speaks to the fiercely competitive spirit that has defined his illustrious coaching career. Even in the face of a medical issue requiring surgical intervention, the self-proclaimed “Special One” remains steadfast in his dedication to his craft and his team.
Reports indicate Mourinho will have his gallbladder removed while visiting family in Portugal over the Christmas holiday. Gallbladder surgery, while a significant procedure, is considered routine and generally has a short recovery time for patients in good health. Most people can return to normal activities within two weeks.
Title Pursuit Continues
Mourinho’s first season at the helm of Fenerbahce has the Istanbul club sitting second in the Turkish Super Lig standings entering the winter break, eight points behind archrivals Galatasaray. Despite the deficit, Mourinho insisted his side remains in the hunt for their first league title since 2014.
“Nobody is going to convince me that even with the distance that we have with the leaders we don’t have a chance to win [the title],” Mourinho declared. “I refuse to think this way. For me it’s still open.”
– José Mourinho
Fenerbahce stumbled to a 1-1 draw against mid-table Eyupspor in their final match before the break, a result Mourinho admitted left a sour taste. “We will have a few days off but it will not be a happy time off for me,” the manager lamented. “Actually, I would prefer not to have this time off but we promised the players long ago.”
Key Takeaways
- Mourinho to undergo minor gallbladder surgery over holiday break
- Veteran manager vows to be back for first training in January
- Fenerbahce trails Galatasaray by 8 points at midway point
- Mourinho still believes his side can capture Super Lig crown
Assuming his recovery goes as planned, Mourinho will be back stalking the Fenerbahce sidelines when the Super Lig season resumes on January 5th with a crucial home match against Hatayspor. With their charismatic leader setting the tone, the Yellow Canaries remain a serious threat to end their decade-long title drought.
