Jose Mourinho has dismissed any thoughts of retirement and insisted he is still motivated by winning football matches.
The Portuguese is now 62 years of age and has been dealing with the stresses and strains of front line management for a quarter of a century.
Mourinho has been at Fenerbahce since June 2024 and led the side to a second-placed finish in the Super Lig, albeit 11 points behind arch-rivals Galatasaray.
And the former Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter boss insists he still has plenty of fire in his belly.
He told Canal 11 in Portugal: “What motivates me is the desire to win the next match. I really like what I do. I can’t find a reason not to continue, not to feel young. I can’t find a reason to think my time to quit is coming.
“I have the best family a coach can have. They keep motivating me, believing that I have a lot ahead of me and a lot to do.”
Mourinho has been recategorised in recent years, from an innovator to someone who is now behind the times compared to the likes of Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot.
And he admits nothing has changed in terms of his pre-season preparations over the years.
He added: “I don’t see any difference between Mourinho, which started about 20 years ago, and Mourinho today. The way I prepare for the seasons, my training sessions, the way I experience training, my attempts to empathise with those who work with me… I can’t see any difference.
“I think it’s very difficult to succeed without empathy. I always appreciate it when I’m called a great communicator, but being a great communicator alone doesn’t bring championships and I’ve won 26.”
One thing he feels has changed, though, is the barometer by which success is measured.
He said: ”Right now, you are considered the best by creating the best perception.
“How did you get important jobs in the past? By winning. What about now? Only perceptions… Looking like you’re winning is more important than winning. Things have changed radically.”
