Mourinho move ‘could be on’ at Rangers after Richard Keys comments
Jose Mourinho has emerged as one of the top candidates to become the next permanent boss at Rangers.
Interim boss Barry Ferguson has endured a mixed spell in the Ibrox dugout and could not steer the Bears to victory in Sunday’s Old Firm derby, instead leading his side to a 1-1 draw with Celtic.
Derek Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News that he would like to see Mourinho handed the managerial reins at Rangers.
The Gers are now winless in six games across all competitions, epitomising how tough the campaign has been.
Richard Keys reveals Mourinho turned down Leeds United job
While the 49ers enterprises are closing in on their Rangers takeover, the consortium is also occupied by Leeds’ preparations for life in the Premier League next season.
There was speculation that the West Yorkshire side were going to sack Daniel Farke despite their recent promotion, but 49ers president Paraag Marathe has now backed the German to stay at Elland Road.
| Scottish Premiership table (Top two) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1 Celtic (C) | 35 | 80 | 85 |
| 2 Rangers | 35 | 33 | 68 |
Richard Keys has subsequently revealed in his blog [5 May]: “Leeds’ chairman, Paraag Marathe, is quite pleased with himself after publicly backing Daniel Farke.
“‘I have ended the speculation,’ he said. ‘He is my man.’ What he’s not saying is he started the speculation by offering Farke’s job to Jose Mourinho. I know that for a fact.
“It was Mourinho who actually ended the speculation by turning the offer down. Sadly, Marathe couldn’t convince Mourinho that Leeds won’t be fighting a relegation battle next season. That’s not something the Special One wants.”
Mourinho’s Leeds rejection could open the door for Rangers appointment
While Mourinho was reportedly not prepared to take charge of Leeds in a potential relegation battle next term, he could be prepared to lead Rangers in the Scottish Premiership next season.
After failing to win silverware this term, the Bears will be eager to fight for trophies again next season, which will likely match Mourinho’s aspirations.
The fact that Marathe offered Mourinho the Leeds job shows that the 49ers enterprises still value the 62-year-old’s managerial skills, even though Fenerbahce are set to finish behind Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig title race.
That could mean that the 49ers will be eager to appoint the former Chelsea boss as Rangers’ next permanent manager, and he could prove to be a success in Scotland.
While Mourinho has not won a trophy since guiding Serie A outfit Roma to the Conference League title in 2022, he is still one of the greatest managers of all time, and the Gers would be lucky to acquire his services.
The multiple Champions League-winning boss may not have wanted a Premier League relegation battle, but Marathe could now talk him into taking on a massive challenge in getting Rangers back to the top of Scottish football.