Jose Mourinho open to manage in Scotland after Fenerbahce Stint

Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has admitted that one day he is interested in managing in Scotland.

While preparing to run his team against the Rangers in the Europe League for the last 16 years, Mourinho admitted that working in Scotland was something he liked.

However, he explained that he was fully dedicated to his current role in Turkey.

Speaking at a press conference in front of the first leg against the Randzer’s side of Barry Ferguson, the 62-year-old asked if he could see in the future he was managing in Scotland.

“At this point, no, because I have a job,” Mourinho said. “It’s 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’s a league of passion. The passion in football is everything.

“Playing at empty stadiums and competitions where there is no fire of passion with no sense.”

Mourinho also spoke about both GiantS Giants, acknowledging his European genera and a large, dedicated base of fans.

“Why not in the future?” 👀

Jose Mourinho one day by managing the Celtic or randies. pic.twitter.com/ulzruisan

– Sky Sports News (@skySportnews) March 5, 2025

“The Celts and Rangers are two big clubs with incredible history and in Europe. I have a lot of respect. They are big clubs with large fan bases, expectations.

“Celtic has a fantastic coach in Brendan.

Mourinho rejoices that he will face Ferguson in his first European relationship as a Rangers manager. He suggested that the challenge could be even greater than he would be under former boss Philippe Clement, who criticized Mourinho’s style of play after being announced.

“I know his history of football players for Scotland and Rangers,” Mourinho told Ferguson. “I don’t know much about his career career. I respect the emotional connection between him and his club. It’s a very important thing, a connection between fans and coaches.

“You can tell me that there is not much experience in Europe as a coach, but I prefer to go to the positive side.

“It will be much harder against him than the previous coach. The previous coach was more concerned 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 express gratitude for the victory of his Porto Side over the Celtics in the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville. The Portuguese coach continued to win the Champions League with Porto next year, but that first European triumph remains significant in his rise.

“What’s his name? Philippe Clement. I will not answer that ‘😬

Jose Mourinho would rather talk about the current Rangers chief.#Bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/g2iq04mguh

– BBC Sport Scotland (@bbcSportscot) March 5, 2025

“That’s true. Not so much here in Turkey, although it may happen this week,” Mourinho said. “Especially in London, some Rangers fans arrived. But of course, that was the grand finale, my first European finals.”

Mourinho also referred to his early coaching education in Scotland, where he received his B license. He recalled his time on the Ayrshire coast with a favor, especially the atmosphere in Largs.

“Largs pubs … disaster. I only drank sparkling water,” he joked.

“But it was fantastic. From the point of view of learning and the human standpoint. They were the biggest guys in Scottish football at the time.

“It was very good in training – sometimes the badges are just badges, but this was different.

“It was amazing to me. I went there with a university degree – I was still playing at a low level, but still played. This coaching course and the level of methodology were different.

“After that so many times when young coaches ask me,” where would a good first step be? “I say you should go there.”