Super Eagles full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel could soon join the exclusive list of Nigerian footballers to have played under Jose Mourinho if recent reports are anything to go by. The 26-year-old moved to Turkey in January 2021 and has since established himself as a regular in the country.
Osayi-Samuel’s time in Turkey has been hugely successful, with the pinnacle being the Turkish Cup that he won with Fenerbahce last season. The Nigerian international has continued to be a key player under manager Ismail Kartal, who joined the club at the beginning of the current campaign.
The former Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers (QPR) man has been ever-present in Fenerbahce’s flanks, having played in 37 matches in all competitions this term. His contributions in the attacking third have also significantly improved, as he boasts three goals and six assists this season.
Despite his impressive individual performances, Osayi-Samuel and Fenerbahce look set to end the campaign without any major piece of silverware. The Yellow Canaries are second on the league table and six points behind leaders and bitter rivals Galatasaray with just two matches left.
Fenerbahce also exited the UEFA Europa Conference League at the quarter-final stage after losing on penalties to Olympiacos following a 3-3 aggregate draw. Although the club still has a slim chance of winning the league – as they’ll be facing Galatasaray in their next match and could reduce the point gap to just three if they win – manager Kartal has come under intense criticism.
Osayi-Samuel to play under Mourinho as aspiring club president vows to hire Portuguese
Kartal returned to Fenerbahçe in June 2023 after signing a one-year deal, and it increasingly looks like his contract will not be extended when it expires at the end of the season. With the club's presidential elections also coming up, one of the candidates, Aziz Yıldırım, has promised to hire José Mourinho if he wins.
The Portuguese manager has been without a club since parting ways with AS Roma in January. Mourinho spent two and a half years with the Italian side, guiding them to the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022.
He also led Roma to the final of the Europa League last season but they were unable to repeat their heroics as they lost to Sevilla on penalties. Although Mourinho has been linked with a return to former club Manchester United, Yildirim believes he can lure him to Fenerbahce. Despite the fact that nothing has been agreed yet, it is now possible that Osayi-Samuel will be playing under Mourinho next season if everything falls into place.
The Fenerbahce presidential candidate has made the appointment of the Special One his flagship campaign message. According to him, he has already held personal talks with Mourinho, and the ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid boss gave him an ear when he presented his plan.
“I met Jose Mourinho face to face last week. I told him: ‘Fenerbahce needs you and you need Fenerbahce.' He listened to me sincerely. My friends are talking to his agents. If we win, I will bring Jose Mourinho,” Yildirim said, as quoted by Goal.
Mourinho’s arrival could make Osayi-Samuel stay at Fenerbahce amidst Premier League links
It will be a huge statement of intent if Fenerbahce manage to bring Mourinho to the Turkish league. The Yellow Canaries have been struggling in recent years and haven’t won the league in a decade.
Although they are the most successful team in Turkey, the last time Fenerbahce were crowned champions was in the 2013/14 season. The club’s inability to challenge for trophies is said to have turned the heads of some of their players. In recent months, Osayi-Samuel has also been linked with a move away from Fenerbahce.
The Nigerian has previously spoken about his desire to return to England after spending the early years of his professional career at Blackpool. Reports suggest Leeds United are keen on signing the right-back, and will make him a priority if they gain promotion to the Premier League.
However, appointing Mourinho could see Fenerbahce retain their best players, including Osayi-Samuel. The former QPR defender would probably relish playing under the Portuguese, and that could be enough to see him shelve any plans of leaving in the summer. Osayi-Samuel has just one year left on his current contract which will expire in June 2025, but an extension could be on the cards, especially if Fenerbahce manage to secure Mourinho’s signature.
Finidi George to count on Osayi-Samuel for Super Eagles' World Cup qualifiers
Meanwhile, Osayi-Samuel is set to play a key role for Nigeria during next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin. The Super Eagles desperately need a victory after failing to win their opening two qualifying matches.
While Nigeria head coach Finidi George has yet to name his squad for the two matches, everything points to the fact that Osayi-Samuel will make the list. The 27-year-old seems to have the trust of the national team coach after featuring prominently during the March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali.
Osayi-Samuel was one of the few players who were handed 90 minutes by George in both matches. With Zaidu Sanusi currently injured and Bruno Onyemaechi failing to convince the last time out, it is likely that George will shift Ola Aina to the left-back/left wing-back position to accommodate Osayi-Samuel on the right.
The Fenerbahce player is far from usurping Aina in the national team when everyone is fit, but he has a great opportunity to stake a claim when Nigeria face South Africa and Benin next month, should he once again be favoured by George.
