Mesut Ozil learns his Fenerbahce fate as new boss Jorge Jesus is unveiled

Mesut Ozil will not be rescued from the Fenerbahce wilderness by Jorge Jesus, the new boss of the Turkish giants said on Friday.

Former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker Ozil has a contract that runs to the end of the 2023-24 season but was banished from first-team duties in March.

Reports claimed that decision came after a dispute with interim head coach Ismail Kartal, and Ozil may have hoped the appointment of Jesus would change his circumstances.

Yet a return to action for Fenerbahce seems as far away as ever after former Benfica and Sporting CP boss Jesus declared Ozil does not figure in his plans.

“What you have achieved in the past in football is very important. Mesut Ozil has a very important past, but the club has made a decision about him, and he will continue in the same way,” Jesus said at a news conference held to announce his arrival.

Jesus added, according to Turkish news outlet Hurriyet: “The important thing here is not Jorge Jesus, Mesut Ozil or any other person. Fenerbahce is important.”

OUR NEW COACH IS JORGE JESUS #JorgeOnTheStage #TheStageisOurs

The world-famous Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who had 19 major titles in 3 different countries, 4 of which are league titles, will be heading Fenerbahçe for a season. pic.twitter.com/1ChfaL1cNW

— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) June 2, 2022

Fenerbahce signed Ozil from Arsenal in January 2021 after he fell out of favour with the Premier League club, with the deal considered a major coup at the time.

After a second-placed finish in the 2021-22 Super Lig, Fenerbahce are hoping to bring in four or five new players, said club president Ali Koc, who added: “We will focus on players who will be decisive offensively.”

They might have hopes of offloading Ozil, but the 33-year-old former Germany international said this week he has no intention of leaving the Istanbul giants.

Ozil wrote on Instagram: “I repeat with emphasis; I will not end my career in a team other than Fenerbahce.

“This decision is very clear and final. As per the requirements of professional life, if our management takes a decision about me, I will only respect this attitude. I will work hard and always keep myself ready.”