Edson Alvarez makes no secret of the fact that Jose Mourinho was a massive part of his decision to leave West Ham United and the Premier League for a loan spell at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Which makes Mourinho’s sacking, only a few weeks after the Mexico captain touched down in Istanbul, all the more galling.
Alvarez joined Fenerbahce at the end of August. The Super Lig runners-up signed the former Ajax midfielder on an initial loan deal, with a £17.5 million option-to-buy clause in his contract.
And while he has no regrets about that decision – Fenerbahce are an even bigger club than Edson Alvarez initially thought – the departure of the legendary Jose Mourinho has certainly soured his first few weeks in yellow and navy.
Just to add to his frustration, the West Ham United loanee suffered what the Mexican Football Federation described as a ‘serious’ muscle injury during the international break.
West Ham United loanee Edson Alvarez disappointed by Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce exit
Speaking after he was forced off half an hour into last week’s 0-0 draw with Japan, Alvarez admits that this is not the start he was looking for to begin the 2025/26 campaign.
“These have been very challenging weeks of learning,” Alvarez begins, speaking to Miroslava Montemayor. “Now I’m dealing with what happened to me on Saturday but, well, it’s all part of the story. We’re waiting for results [on the severity of my injury] and we hope it’s as mild as possible.
“Obviously, and it’s no secret because it was said everywhere, that a large part of my decision [to join Fenerbahce] because of [Mourinho]. I had a lot of contact with him before going to Fener. He was a key player,”
“But I also considered every possible scenario. I knew the risks involved, and I even had many conversations with the sporting director.
“Obviously, when they give you the news [about Mourinho’s sacking], it’s not pleasant to hear. But anyway, I’m not going to sit back and cry. We have a very competitive team. I got there because of the coach but also because of the board, who wanted me.”
Mexico captain admits leaving the Premier League was ‘difficult’
Edson Alvarez did impress on his Super Lig debut, a 3-1 victory over Genclerbirligi. That is his only outing for his new side so far, however. That injury saw him ruled out of Sunday’s 1-0 triumph against a Trabzonspor side with Andre Onana between the goalposts.
Now under the stewardship of former RB Leipzig, Schalke and Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, Alvarez at least has Europa League football to look forward to. As for parent club West Ham, the closest they will come to a continental fixture this season is a potential FA Cup trip to Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham or Newport County.
“Obviously, it was a very difficult decision knowing I was leaving the Premier League,” Alvarez admits. Ultimately, I made the decision primarily for myself because, at the end of the day, this is my career, it’s my story.
“[I am] supported by my family, which I think is the most important thing. If you have the support of your family, your friends, those close to you, well, I think it becomes even easier.”
The sudden availability of one of the modern game’s most iconic coaches has some wondering if a return to the Premier League could be on the cards. One-time Upton Park boss Sam Allardyce cannot envisage Jose Mourinho replacing Graham Potter in the West Ham dugout, however, and it appears that feeling is shared by those in charge in East London.
When asked by Hammers News, a spokesman for the board insisted that West Ham will ‘never’ hand the reins to Mourinho.
“I couldn’t see David [Sullivan] doing it, personally,” Allardyce said last week. “I think it would be too much for him.
“I love [Mourinho]. I think he is great for the Premier League. I think the game loves him, and I think he can get the best out of [players].
“[But] have you seen how much he’s earned getting pay-offs? Millions and millions and millions and millions! Honestly, the biggest numbers I’ve ever seen.”
