Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has admitted he’s excited by managing in Scotland someday.
Whereas making ready to steer his staff in opposition to Rangers within the Europa League last-16, Mourinho admitted that working in Scotland is one thing that appeals to him.
Nonetheless, he clarified that he’s absolutely dedicated to his present function in Turkey.
Talking at a press convention forward of the primary leg in opposition to Barry Ferguson’s Rangers facet, the 62-year-old was requested if he may see himself managing in Scotland sooner or later.
“On this second, no, as a result of I’ve a job,” Mourinho stated. “It’s a job that motivates me and calls for loyalty. However why not sooner or later?
“Folks can say the Scottish league is a league of two groups, however it’s a league of ardour. Ardour in soccer is every thing.
“To play in empty stadiums and competitions the place there’s not that fireplace of the fervour doesn’t make any sense.”
Mourinho additionally spoke extremely of each Glasgow giants, acknowledging their European pedigree and huge, devoted fan bases.
“Why not sooner or later?”
Jose Mourinho on someday managing Celtic or Rangers. pic.twitter.com/ulZRUZASNo
— Sky Sports activities Information (@SkySportsNews) March 5, 2025
“Celtic and Rangers are two massive golf equipment with unbelievable historical past additionally in Europe. I’ve a number of respect. They’re massive golf equipment with massive fan bases, expectations.
“Celtic has a improbable coach in Brendan [Rodgers]. Rangers has Ferguson now and I’m not looking for a brand new job.”
Mourinho is trying ahead to dealing with Ferguson in his first European tie as Rangers’ supervisor. He advised that the problem could now be even better than it could have been underneath former boss Philippe Clement, who had criticised Mourinho’s fashion of play after the draw was introduced.
“I do know his historical past as a soccer participant for Scotland and for Rangers,” Mourinho stated of Ferguson. “I don’t know a lot about his profession as a coach. I respect the emotional connection between him and his membership. That could be a essential factor, the connection between the followers and the coach.
“You’ll be able to inform me he doesn’t have a lot expertise in Europe as a coach, however I desire to go on the optimistic facet.
“It will likely be far more troublesome in opposition to him than the earlier coach. The earlier coach was extra nervous about philosophy. Ferguson shall be extra pragmatic. It will likely be arduous for us however it is going to be arduous for them.”
Mourinho revealed that Rangers followers nonetheless specific their gratitude to him for his Porto facet’s victory over Celtic within the 2003 UEFA Cup remaining in Seville. The Portuguese coach went on to win the Champions League with Porto the next 12 months, however that first European triumph stays vital in his rise.
‘What’s his title? Philippe Clement. I’m not going to reply that’
Jose Mourinho would slightly communicate concerning the present Rangers boss.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/g2iQ04mGuh
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) March 5, 2025
“It’s true. Not a lot right here in Turkey, though perhaps this week it should occur,” Mourinho stated. “Particularly in London, some Rangers followers come as much as me. However in fact that was a giant remaining, my first European remaining.”
Mourinho additionally mirrored on his early teaching schooling in Scotland, the place he obtained his B Licence. He recalled his time on the Ayrshire coast with fondness, notably the environment in Largs.
“The Largs pubs… a catastrophe. I used to be solely consuming glowing water,” he joked.
“But it surely was improbable. From a studying perspective and a human perspective. They had been the largest guys in Scottish soccer at the moment.
“It was superb on teaching – typically badges are simply badges, however this was completely different.
“It was wonderful for me. I went there with my college diploma – I used to be nonetheless enjoying, at a low degree, however nonetheless enjoying. That teaching course and the methodology degree was completely different.
“After that so many instances when I’m requested by younger coaches, ‘the place could be a superb first step?’ I say they need to go there.”
The post Jose Mourinho open to managing in Scotland following Fenerbahce stint first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2025-03-05 16:21:55
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