[Jose Mourinho](https://www.football.london/all-about/jose-mourinho) has hinted that he is not going to have a 'happy' Christmas after his Fenerbahce side suffered another disappointing result. The Istanbul-based club missed the chance to move to within three points of leaders Galatasaray in the Super Lig table after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Eyupspor.
Ahmed Kutucu gave the home side, who are having a fine season themselves and sit fourth in the league, a first-half lead before former Sevilla man Youssef En-Nesyri levelled just before the break. Fenerbahce created chances in the second period to nod in front but they were unable to find the all-important winner.
After the game, ex-Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mourinho cut a frustrated figure, bemoaning the pace of the match, stoppages, his players, the quality, and how many 'technical errors' there were.
Mourinho also wasn't afraid to criticise himself, claiming that he is going to take the Christmas break as a period of reflection. Fenerbahce aren't now back in action until Sunday, January 5 when they host Hatayspor.
Asked to preview the second half of the season, [Mourinho said](https://www.fenerbahce.org/haberler/futbol/2024/12/teknik-direktorumuz-jose-mourinho-ikas-eyupspor-macini-degerlendirdi): "We will have a few days off but it will not be a happy off period for me. How it will be for the players depends on their own mentality. But it will not be a happy off period for me. Actually, I would prefer not to have this off period but we promised the players long ago. Many players could not take more than 10 days off. Therefore, this was an important situation for them to rest.
"We will continue to work very hard in the second period of this two-week break. I want my players to believe in the pragmatism of football. What is that? It is mathematics. Mathematics determines where you will be. We have to fight mathematically regardless of the results of your other opponents.
"Everyone deserves more; the fans, the management… Therefore, the players also need to give more. They need to show a different kind of dedication. Some things are difficult in Türkiye because I see things here that I have never seen in my long career. Just like the incidents that happen inside during the half-time…
"When such incidents happen, it disturbs the match and the atmosphere of the match. At the same time, the game is constantly stopped during the match. Therefore, it is difficult. Actually, most of the players have been at this club for a long time. They already need to be used to this situation, to have adapted. The new players also need to have a different attitude, they need to show a different desire to adapt to this.
"Our club gives the players the best working opportunities, the best economic conditions, the best conditions in terms of health. Therefore, everything is there to support the players. I know my own quality and the quality of my team. We always give the best to the players in training. Therefore, they need to give a little more. If you ask, 'What do you expect from your players in the second division of the league?', I would say this."