‘A grown man’ – Galatasaray boss slammed for reaction to Jose Mourinho pinch

Jose Mourinho is facing criticism for 'attacking' Okan Buruk on Wednesday night - but talkSPORT host Alan Brazil was not having it.

The incident unfolded after the final whistle of the Istanbul derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, as both managers engaged with the match officials in the centre circle.

Fenerbahce manager Mourinho approached Buruk from behind and pinched his nose, resulting in the Galatasaray manager falling to the ground, with his hands over his face.

Galatasaray triumphed in the Turkish Cup quarter-final tie with a 2-1 victory, thanks to two goals from Victor Osimhen.

Buruk, who enjoyed two spells at Galatasaray as a player before returning as manager in 2022, took a subdued stance on the incident during his post-match news conference.

"There was nothing between me and Mourinho," Buruk said.

"He pinched my nose from behind. There was a slight scratch. Of course, it wasn't a very nice or elegant thing to do.

"We expect managers to behave more appropriately in such situations. I won't exaggerate this issue, but it wasn't a classy move."

Despite his calm response during the post-match press conference, Buruk rolling around on the floor hasn't sat well with the talkSPORT Breakfast team.

Brazil, Gabby Agbonlahor, and Shebahn Aherne shared their thoughts on the drama.

Brazil reacted strongly: “Absolute garbage, honestly. You’ve seen more in the penalty box — complete nonsense.”

“Embarrassing,” Agbonlahor added, shaking his head.

“I shouldn’t laugh, but the way he went down… Can you imagine rugby players and folks like that watching this?” Brazil exclaimed in disbelief.

“It’s an absolute disgrace; Jose shouldn’t have done it. But that’s just Jose - he's a cheeky one. For the Galatasaray manager to react like that, he should be up for a BAFTA."

Shebahn added: “Absolutely disgraceful behavior from a grown man. If someone grabbed your nose, trying to provoke you, you’d swat them away. What on earth? Rolling around like that is just embarrassing.”

“It would take a big hand for your nose, Al,” Gabby teased.

“He’d need boxing gloves on to get hold of yours!” Brazil shot back, eliciting laughter from Agbonlahor and Aherne. 

After the match, Galatasaray's vice-president Metin Ozturk expressed his outrage: "Our manager Okan and Mourinho congratulated the referees. After that, while Okan was continuing, Mourinho first verbally and then physically attacked him.

"Where else in the world can he do this? What does he think of Turkey?

"I believe that Fenerbahce's management will impose the necessary sanction before the federation does."

In the heat of the moment, Fenerbahce substitute Mert Yandas and Galatasaray substitutes Kerem Demirbay and Baris Yilmaz were shown red cards for their involvement in a melee between the two benches during stoppage time.

Following a goalless draw between the two clubs in the Turkish Super Lig in February, Galatasaray declared they would 'initiate criminal proceedings' against Mourinho after accusing him of making 'racist statements'.

The Turkish Football Federation previously handed Mourinho a four-game ban and a fine of £35,194 for two distinct disciplinary matters.

In response, Mourinho has taken a stand by launching a lawsuit against Galatasaray 'due to the attack on his personal rights'.