It’s a few weeks since Barry Ferguson masterminded a Rangers victory over Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho in the Europa League.
Ferguson took tactical plaudits for changing shape and springing a surprise on Fenerbahce in Turkey, with that 3-1 Europa League victory the basis on an eventual penalty shoot-out win at Ibrox.
Rangers attentions are already turning to the Europa League quarter finals, with Arsenal’s newest director disrupting Athletic before they make the trip to Ibrox.
But back in Turkey, Jose Mourinho is once again making headlines with the Special One certainly never shy in stoking controversy wherever he goes.
Jose Mourinho grabs Galatasaray manager’s nose in chaotic derby scenes
Jose Mourinho was in hot water in Turkey even before Fenerbahce’s clash with Rangers.
The legendary Portuguese coach was suspended and fined after comments Mourinho made about Turkish refereeing during a 0-0 draw with Galatasaray back in February.
The entire thing turned nasty when Galatasaray accused Mourinho of racist comments, something the Portuguese completely refutes, in the aftermath of the game.
Remarkably, this all happened around a game where the Turkish FA had drafted in a Slovenian official to referee the proceedings.
And it’s Galatasaray who are once again at the centre of Mourinho’s latest exploits in Turkey, with the former Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid manager embroiled in a spat with his opposite number.
Okan Buruk fell to the floor after Mourinho appeared to grab the Galatasaray manager’s nose following a dramatic Turkish Cup clash between the Istanbul giants.
This came after a dramatic match ended 2-1 to Galatasaray, with both sets of teams receiving two red cards apiece.
A Victor Osimhen double had Galatasaray 2-0 up on the night before Sebastian Szymanski pulled one back before the break.
A frenetic derby clash then began overheating in the final stages of the game, resulting in a number of players being pulled away from a fracas.
The referee eventually wound up showing red cards to several players who were not on the field of play, with Kerem Demirbay and Baris Alper Yilmaz shown red for Galatasaray and Mert Hakan Yandas – who missed the final Fenerbahce penalty v Rangers – sent up the tunnel for Fenerbahce.
Brazilian midfielder Fred was then sent off at the end of the match after Davinson Sanchez had miraculously cleared the ball off the line to prevent a Fenerbahce equaliser.
Jose Mourinho open to taking Rangers manager’s job
Jose Mourinho is certainly making a name for himself in the Intercontinental Derby, but could he yet make an appearance in the Old Firm?
Mourinho was asked if he’d manage in Scotland ahead of Fenerbahce’s trip to Rangers and admitted he’s keeping his options open.
”In this moment no because I have a job,” said Mourinho. “I have a job that motivates me and a job that demands loyalty but why not in the future?
”People can say that the Scottish league is a league of two teams but it is a league of passion.
”It is a league of passion and for me, passion in football is something that for me is everything.
“For me to play in empty stadiums, to play in competitions where there is not that fire of the passion, for me it doesn’t make any sense.
”Celtic and Rangers they are big clubs with big fan bases, big emotions, big responsibilities, big expectations, why not?
”But in this moment I have a job. Celtic has a fantastic coach like Brendan. Rangers has Ferguson now so full respect to them and I am not searching for a new job.”
Rangers are on the hunt for the club’s 20th permanent manager with Andy Halliday raising doubts over Barry Ferguson being given the job full time.
With a US takeover to come at Rangers, the club is coy over which direction they will take with the club’s prospective new owners set to make the decision.
