It’s been a few weeks since Barry Ferguson orchestrated Rangers’ Europa League triumph over Fenerbahce and their manager, Jose Mourinho.
Ferguson’s tactical approach earned widespread praise after he altered Rangers’ formation and caught Fenerbahce off guard in Turkey, securing a 3-1 victory that ultimately set the stage for their penalty shoot-out success at Ibrox.
With their sights now set on the Europa League quarter-finals, Rangers are preparing for their next challenge, while Arsenal’s new director has been causing a stir at Athletic ahead of their visit to Ibrox.
Meanwhile, back in Turkey, Mourinho is making headlines once again, with the charismatic “Special One” never far from controversy.
Mourinho Sparks Chaos in Istanbul Derby
Even before Fenerbahce’s clash with Rangers, Mourinho found himself in trouble in Turkey. The Portuguese coach was suspended and fined for comments criticizing Turkish referees following a 0-0 draw with Galatasaray in February. The situation escalated when Galatasaray accused him of making racist remarks—claims Mourinho vehemently denied. Notably, that match had been officiated by a Slovenian referee brought in by the Turkish FA.
Now, Mourinho is once again in the spotlight after a heated incident with Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk. Following a dramatic Turkish Cup encounter, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Galatasaray, Mourinho appeared to grab Buruk’s nose, causing the opposing manager to fall to the ground.
The match itself was filled with controversy, as both teams saw two players sent off. Galatasaray took an early 2-0 lead thanks to a Victor Osimhen brace, before Sebastian Szymanski pulled one back for Fenerbahce. Tensions flared in the closing moments, with multiple players getting involved in heated confrontations. Referee decisions led to further chaos, with Kerem Demirbay and Baris Alper Yilmaz dismissed for Galatasaray, while Mert Hakan Yandas—who had missed Fenerbahce’s decisive penalty against Rangers—was also sent off. Brazilian midfielder Fred received a red card late on after Davinson Sanchez made a goal-line clearance to deny Fenerbahce an equalizer.
Mourinho Open to Future Rangers Role
While Mourinho has been dominating the headlines in Turkey, speculation has also emerged regarding a potential move to Scotland. Asked about the possibility of managing in the Scottish Premiership ahead of Fenerbahce’s visit to Ibrox, Mourinho left the door open for the future.
“Right now, no, because I have a job,” Mourinho admitted. “It’s a job that motivates me, and one that demands loyalty. But why not in the future?
“People say the Scottish league is just two teams, but it’s a league full of passion. That passion is everything in football. Playing in empty stadiums or leagues without that fire doesn’t make sense to me.
“Celtic and Rangers are big clubs with huge fan bases, big emotions, big responsibilities, and high expectations—so why not? But for now, I have a job. Celtic have a fantastic coach in Brendan [Rodgers], and Rangers have Ferguson, so I respect them both and I’m not looking for a new job.”
Rangers are currently in search of their 20th permanent manager, with doubts lingering over whether Barry Ferguson will be given the role on a full-time basis. Meanwhile, a US-led takeover looms over the club, and Rangers’ future direction is expected to be shaped by the prospective new owners.
