BEHIND the scenes footage has captured the previously unseen moment that Jose Mourinho walked into the Rangers dressing room after his Fenerbahce team lost at Ibrox.
And while he paid his respects to boss Barry Ferguson and the Light Blues players, fans reckon he had another motive…
Jose Mourinho made a personal visit to the Rangers dressing room[/caption]
He congratulated Barry Ferguson despite his Fenerbahce team losing[/caption]
That being a scouting mission for his next job!
Rangers lost 2-0 to Fenerbahce on Thursday night but progressed after coming out on top in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Ferguson’s men had won the first leg in Turkey 3-1 and they will now face Athletic Bilbao of La Liga in the quarter-finals.
Mourinho sounded off about the officiating on the night and claimed he’s been subject to a vendetta from Uefa and their referees ever since the 2023 Europa League final, in which his Roma team lost to Sevilla in controversial circumstances (which he wasn’t shy in discussing).
But he was warmly received by the home supporters at full-time and he later made sure to stop by the host’s changing room before departing for Istanbul and he was full of respect for what Ferguson and his players had achieved (even if he did admit that the felt Bilbao are a better side).
Footage from Rangers TV followed Mourinho after the game as he made his way down the corridors of Ibrox towards the home dressing room.
He first meets assistant coach Neil McCann outside the door and he asks him “Is the coach in?” in reference to Ferguson.
After shaking McCann’s hand he walks into the dressing room and searches out Ferguson personally.
The two exchanged some brief words and a handshake before Mourinho turned around and wished the star struck Gers players all the best.
Ferguson recalled his memory of events in his pre-match press conference before Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic.
He said: “José Mourinho came into the dressing room and wished me all the best.
“He is one of the best managers there is and I have full respect for everything he has done.”
As the clip began circulating online, Rangers supporters were quick to praise the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss for his gesture.
But others wondered if he was also scoping out a place he may be returning to in the near future (particularly with a takeover looming).
A Rangers fan account posted alongside the video: “Touch of class from Jose.”
While this fan said: “What a class manager! Always shows respect!”
Another commented: “Give him his due he didn’t have to do that.”
And this supporter said: “The silence when he walked in… that’s respect.”
Some fans also noticed young midfielder Bailey Rice walking in behind Mourinho and how for a moment he looked to be thinking about draping a scarf on the so-called Special One.
But he quickly thought better of it.
Another Rangers fan said: “Honestly how can anyone say that they don’t like him,” in reference to Mourinho.
And with that in mind, other supporters began to wonder if Mourinho’s popularity could be a big factor with the Ibrox support at some point…
“That’s the kind of manager we need. Someone who’ll get into heads of opponents,” said one.
And in a similar vein, this fan remarked: “Just wanting to make sure he likes the home dressing room for future…”
“That’s class from Jose. He’s a top top manager. I hope our new owners are eyeing someone of his calibre and stature to lead us into the new era.”
Plenty of other punters were quick to jump onto that bandwagon.
One fan said: “He’s hoping to be our next manager.”
“Checking out his new facility for next season,” quipped another.
And another said: “Think he’s after the job.”
Meanwhile, this fan shared his personal experience of meeting Mourinho: “Bumped into him at the bottom of the stairs on the way out, refrained from asking for a picture as I thought that would be disrespectful as his team lost, but he spoke to Nacho Novo and Bruno Alves as he left the stadium and thanked the rangers staff as he left through the front door. True class and respect from him.”
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