Fenerbahçe Goalkeeper Coach Zufic: “Mourinho is the First to Arrive, Last to Leave”
Fenerbahçe’s goalkeeper coach, Sandro Zufic, shared insights in an interview with the Croatian press. Zufic, who praised Dominik Livakovic, also spoke about his experience working under Jose Mourinho.
Sandro Zufic has played a key role in Livakovic’s improved performance at Fenerbahçe. Speaking to Germanijak, he highlighted Livakovic’s professionalism and work ethic:
“Liv was excellent in the Nations League. I saw him focused, motivated, and carrying over everything he has developed at Fenerbahçe to the national team. Every time he joins the national team, he’s highly motivated and receives great feedback from Suba and Mrma.”
Zufic emphasized the strong bond between him and Livakovic:
“We share a friendship and mutual trust, which serves as the foundation for everything we build. When working, we focus solely on training and matches. Outside of that, we often find ourselves discussing Dinamo and other football topics.”
Zufic also recounted the challenges of going out in Istanbul due to Livakovic’s rising fame:
“In Istanbul, going out without a hat or hoodie is impossible. Fans recognize him everywhere. Recently, I mistakenly parked in front of a restricted military facility. When the police realized it was Livakovic, chaos ensued, and we ended up taking photos for half an hour.”
Describing Livakovic’s character, Zufic noted:
“Livakovic is not a self-centered person immune to his surroundings. He’s a regular guy who thrives on positivity. He pays attention to everyone, and the fans appreciate that, which reflects in his outstanding form.”
On Mourinho, Zufic praised his leadership and revealed the daily routine he established at Fenerbahçe:
“I have a great relationship with Mourinho. He has given me significant autonomy in my role. We collaborate on training sessions, analyze details, and focus on improvement. At the facilities, we communicate in Italian, and the work ethic is top-notch. There’s a strict rule: arrive by 8 AM and stay until 4 PM. During these eight hours, all focus is on football and preparing for the next match. Mourinho is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.”
