He claims Rangers fans still stop him in the street to thank him for the 2003 UEFA Cup final, but Jose Mourinho could be about to loose his goodwill in Govan.
The Fenerbahce coach could be set for a first ever competitive meeting against the Ibrox side, with the Turkish giants one of two teams Philippe Clement’s Light Blues could face in the last 16 of the Europa League – when the draw takes place on February 21. And the legendary boss might feel right at home in Govan, with Gers fans not forgetting the role Mourinho played in breaking Celtic hearts when he guided his Porto side to victory over Martin O’Neill’s Hoops more than 20 years ago.
Speaking on Talksport back in 2021, Mourinho said: “I could feel it immediately because the week before the game Celtic fans were already in Porto trying to buy tickets from Porto fans. Now, what I find in the streets of London and other places, is still the Rangers fans thanking me for that final.
“The passion for football is never one that is diminished in Glasgow and achievements are often fondly remembered amongst supporters. I still have people saying to me, oh Jose thank you very much for that final.”
Despite remaining a favourite with fans on the south side, Mourinho has had his name linked with the Celtic job over the years. And he has previously said that the UEFA Cup final success was his most stressful experience as a boss, in 2019 he commented: “That Final against Celtic was not the biggest win, it was not the greatest joy, but in terms of intensity it was my biggest ever game.
“The game ended and I thought ‘the game is over and I am dead’. It’s still the most tense game in my career. I’ve played three European finals since, two in the Champions League. I’ve won a lot of titles, been involved in so many incredible games, but in terms of living with tension, intensity, with emotion raised to the limit, that game against Celtic beat them all.”