He handed Celtic one of their most heartbreaking defeats in their history back in 2003.
But Jose Mourinho has always had a respect for Celtic and revealed as much as he met the media in Glasgow this morning.
Mourinho’s Fenerbahce take on Rangers in Turkey tomorrow evening in Europa League action and the Portuguese former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager has victory on his mind.
When Celtic lost to FC Porto that night in Seville, it was a brutal evening for their supporters as well as Martin O’Neill and the incredible squad he had built at that time. But it proved that Mourinho was one of Europe’s elite managers and he solidified that claim when he won the Champions League the following season with much the same squad.
So if and when Brendan Rodgers decides he has done everything he set out to do at Celtic Park, it would be crazy not to dream of bringing Mourinho to the club to help along the progress they have already made under Rodgers, in Europe specifically.
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Jose Mourinho would be open to managing Celtic
The issue would always come down to the gaffer himself as every club in the world would surely love to have the ‘Special One’ at the helm. And this morning Mourinho admitted he’d be open to a move to Celtic down the line as the “passion” would be hard to ignore.
“In this moment, no, because I have a job,” the 62-year-old said. “It’s a job that motivates me and demands loyalty. But why not in the future?
“People can say the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it is a league of passion. Passion in football is everything.
“To play in empty stadiums and competitions where there is not that fire of the passion does not make any sense. Celtic and Rangers are two big clubs with incredible history also in Europe. I have lots of respect. They are big clubs with big fan bases, expectations.
“Celtic has a fantastic coach in Brendan [Rodgers]. Rangers has Ferguson now and I am not searching for a new job.”
Mourinho’s interest shows just how massive a club Celtic really are with Rangers – at least from his quotes – appeared to be a bit of an afterthought.
And that is exactly how some fans saw the boss’s words as they pored over the clip on Sky Sports News.
Supporters had their say on Mourinho to Celtic with some insisting it would be a coup to land such a highly-rated and experienced coach. But only if Rodgers left.
“He’s the only real successor to the Brodge throne,” one wrote on social media. Another added: “He said he would manage Celtic years ago.”
Celtic fans seemed to point out Mourinho trolling Rangers
Some suggested Mourinho’s comments pointed towards his preference for Celtic…
One wrote: “Definitely sounds interested in becoming Celtic manager in the future. Rangers seemed mentioned as an afterthought & just to be polite.”
Another chuckled: “Celtic first, always Celtic first.”
One commented: “Notice how he puts Celtic first even though the interviewer said Rangers first. He knows who are the main club in Scotland are. Everybody knows.”
Some punters have clearly never forgiven Mourinho for 2003 and one commented: “Not a chance. Still not forgiven for his cheat in Porto team in 2003.”
Another added: “You can manage that other Mob, Anti-Football manager. Brendan would wipe the floor with you as well.”
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