Mourinho’s Fenerbahce Champions League Dream Dashed by Lille

Jose Mourinho's ambition to lead Fenerbahce into the revamped Champions League was thwarted as the Turkish team lost to Lille in the third qualifying round. Despite Fenerbahce's later equalizer taking the match to extra time, Lille advanced with a penalty score, ending Mourinho's hopes for this season.

Jose Mourinho's aspirations of guiding Fenerbahce into the revamped Champions League concluded in disappointment on Tuesday, as the Turkish club was ousted by Lille in the third qualifying round.

Lille proceeded to the next stage with a 3-2 victory on aggregate. Jonathan David's penalty in the 118th minute ensured a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Fenerbahce had forced the match into extra time, thanks to Bafode Diakite's own-goal in second-half stoppage time which made it 1-0 in the second leg. However, Lille's earlier 2-1 victory in the first leg proved decisive.

Mourinho, who joined Fenerbahce in June with an annual salary of $11 million, aimed to secure the club's first Turkish league title since 2014 and revive their Champions League prospects, a tournament he has previously won with Porto and Inter Milan.

(With inputs from agencies.)