Mourinho stirs the pot ahead of Turkish derby: 'You can't behave like that'

Victor Osimhen's unexpected loan move to Galatasaray has caught the attention of many, including renowned coach José Mourinho.

The Nigerian striker, a top performer at Napoli, found himself on the move after Napoli failed to secure a permanent transfer for the high fee they demanded. With just days remaining in the transfer window, Osimhen made the switch to Turkey, joining the ranks of Galatasaray, a move that surprised even Mourinho.

Reflecting on this in an interview with HT Spor, Mourinho, who is now managing in Turkey, was full of praise for Osimhen’s talent. "Osimhen is a fantastic player. If I were at a club with 70 or 75 million, I would buy him. Of course, he came under different circumstances, but in the end, it doesn't matter. Galatasaray has signed an absolutely fantastic player," he remarked, acknowledging the impact that the Nigerian striker can have on his new team.

The Portuguese tactician is no stranger to Osimhen’s abilities, having faced him multiple times during his tenure as AS Roma manager in Italy's Serie A. Over five encounters between Mourinho’s Roma and Osimhen’s Napoli, the striker played a key role in several matches, scoring important goals that helped Napoli secure two victories against Mourinho’s side. Mourinho’s Roma only managed to win the last of these meetings, in which Osimhen was sent off, adding a unique twist to their competitive history.

Despite the competitive nature of their previous encounters, Mourinho emphasized that he has no personal issues with Osimhen. In fact, he spoke highly of their relationship. However, there is one aspect of the 25-year-old striker’s game that Mourinho has consistently criticized: his tendency to dive. "I have no problems with Osimhen, we have a very good relationship. But every time I play against him, I talk to him because I don’t like how he behaves. He dives too much," Mourinho said, openly expressing his disapproval of this particular trait in Osimhen’s game.

Interestingly, Mourinho first addressed this behavior directly with Osimhen on the pitch during one of their Serie A clashes. "When Roma played Napoli, I had a conversation with him and said: 'Look, you are one of the two best players in Africa. You and Salah. In the past, it was Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, George Weah... you can't behave like that,'" Mourinho recalled, referencing African legends who exemplified hard work and integrity on the field.

Now, as they prepare to face each other again in Turkey, Mourinho has made these comments public, perhaps to spark a psychological edge or add fuel to the competitive rivalry that will undoubtedly be reignited in the upcoming Turkish derby between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. This match is already one of the most anticipated fixtures in Turkish football, and the added subplot of Osimhen versus Mourinho adds another layer of intrigue.

For Galatasaray, Osimhen’s presence is a major coup, and his track record at Napoli shows that he has the potential to be a game-changer in Turkey. However, Mourinho’s critique serves as a reminder that, while Osimhen is a world-class talent, there is still room for growth in terms of how he conducts himself on the pitch. As the Turkish derby approaches, all eyes will be on whether Osimhen can rise above the scrutiny and deliver a performance that justifies Mourinho’s praise, while avoiding the behaviors that the coach has publicly criticized.

The upcoming derby will not only be a test of Fenerbahçe’s and Galatasaray’s title aspirations but will also reignite the personal rivalry between Mourinho and Osimhen, two figures who respect each other yet remain fiercely competitive.