Fenerbahce’s head coach Jose Mourinho admitted that he was interested in managing Scotland one day.
While preparing to lead his team against the Rangers in the Europa League last 16, Mourinho admitted that working in Scotland is something that argues.
However, he said he was fully attached to his current role in Türkiye.
Speaking at a press conference before the first stage against the Barry Ferguson Rangers team, the 62 -year -old man was asked if he could be managed in Scotland in the future.
“Right now, no, because I have a job,” said Mourinho. “It is a job that motivates me and requires loyalty. But why not in the future?
“People can say that the Scottish League is a league of two teams, but it is a passion league. The passion in football is everything.
“Play in stadiums and empty competitions where it is not just the fire of passion makes no sense.”
Mourinho also spoke strongly about the two giants of Glasgow, recognizing their European pedigree and their large dedicated fans bases.
“Why not in the future?” 👀
Jose Mourinho one day managing the Celtic or the Rangers. pic.twitter.com/ulzruzasno
– Sky Sports News (@SkysportsNews) March 5, 2025
“Celtic and the Rangers are two big clubs with an incredible story also in Europe. I have a lot of respect. These are large clubs with large fans, expectations.
“Celtic has a fantastic coach in Brendan [Rodgers]. Rangers has Ferguson now and I’m not looking for a new job. »»
Mourinho is anxious to face Ferguson during his first European equality as a manager of the Rangers. He suggested that the challenge could now be even greater than it would have been under the former boss Philippe Clement, who had criticized Mourinho’s game style after the print was announced.
“I know his story as a football player for Scotland and for the Rangers,” said Mourinho about Ferguson. “I don’t know much about his career as a coach. I respect the emotional link between him and his club. This is a very important thing, the link between fans and the coach.
“You can tell me that he does not have much experience in Europe as a coach, but I prefer to go on the positive side.
“It will be much more difficult against him than the previous coach. The previous coach was more worried about philosophy. Ferguson will be more pragmatic. It will be difficult for us, but it will be difficult for them. »»
Mourinho revealed that Rangers fans still expressed their gratitude to him for the victory of his Porto team against Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville. The Portuguese coach won the Champions League with Porto the following year, but this first European triumph remains important in its ascent.
‘What’s his name? Philippe Clement. I’m not going to answer that ‘😬
Jose Mourinho prefers to talk about the current boss of the Rangers.#Bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/g2iq04mguh
– BBC Sport Scotland (@bbcsportscot) March 5, 2025
“It’s true. Not so much here in Türkiye, although maybe this week, it will happen, “said Mourinho. “Especially in London, some fans of the rangers come to me. But of course, it was a grand finale, my first European final. »»
Mourinho also thought about his first coaching in Scotland, where he obtained his license B. He recalled his time on the coast of Ayrshire with slopes, in particular the atmosphere in addition.
“Pubs widths … a disaster. I only drank sparkling water, “he joked.
“But it was fantastic. From a learning point of view and a human point of view. They were the biggest guys in Scottish football at the time.
“It was very good for training – sometimes badges are just badges, but it was different.
“It was incredible for me. I went there with my university degree – I always played, at a low level, but I was still playing. This coaching course and the level of methodology were different.
“After that, so many times the young coaches ask me:” Where would be a good first step? ” I say they should go.
