Mourinho opens up on managing Rangers or Celtic

José Mourinho has not dominated out managing Rangers or Celtic. The Fenerbahce head coach is getting ready for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg in Istanbul towards Rangers, who’ve Barry Ferguson in interim cost after the sacking of Philippe Clement.

Mourinho, whose Porto facet beat Celtic after additional time within the 2003 Uefa Cup last to safe his first European trophy, took a few of his teaching badges in Ayrshire within the Nineties. Asked whether or not teaching in Glasgow appealed to him, he stated: “In this second, no, as a result of I’ve a job that motivates me and a job that calls for loyalty. But why not sooner or later? People can say that the Scottish League is a league of two groups, but it’s a league of passion.

“For me, ardour in soccer is every thing. For me, to play in empty stadiums, to play in competitions the place there’s not that fireplace of the eagerness doesn’t make any sense. Celtic and Rangers, they’re large golf equipment with large fanbases, with large feelings, large duties, large expectations. Why not?

“ Celtic has a fantastic coach like Brendan [Rodgers]. Rangers has Ferguson now, so full respect for them and I’m not searching for a new job.”

He praised Ferguson, pointing to the “emotional connection” between the previous Rangers midfielder and the membership. “It’s going to be much more difficult with him as a coach than with the previous coach,” Mourinho stated. “Because the previous coach was more worried about philosophy than on the pitch. It’s on the pitch that you win matches, it’s not with philosophy. For sure, Ferguson will be much more pragmatic, much more objective.”

Mourinho has had many an encounter with grateful Rangers followers since stopping Celtic from winning a European trophy 22 years ago. He stated: “In London, particularly in London, or within the south of Portugal within the summertime, it’s true, some Rangers followers have come to me.

“I have the utmost respect for both big clubs and big supporter families. Incredible history also in Europe. Part of my formation was even in Scotland. I have so many Scottish friends from both colours, the green and the blue.”