- Mourinho sacked by Fenerbahce
- Gallas says Rangers “too small” for Jose
- Ex-defender calls for Premier League return
The dismissal has sparked immediate speculation over where the self-styled “Special One” will land next. With Mourinho’s reputation for box-office drama intact, every managerial vacancy across Europe is now inevitably being tied to his name. One of the early rumours making the rounds is a potential shock switch to Rangers. Mourinho himself has previously spoken admiringly about the Glasgow club and is believed to be on the radar should Russell Martin step aside.
But not everyone is buying into the idea. Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has poured cold water on the prospect, claiming Mourinho is far too big for the Scottish Premiership stage.
“Absolutely not,” Gallas declared while speaking to Gambling Zone when asked if Mourinho could head to Ibrox. “There’s no way Jose Mourinho will go to Rangers. I mean no disrespect, but Rangers are just too small for Jose. He needs one last job at a big club. However the last few years have gone for him, you can see that he’s got the aura, got the magic. He still has that unique attitude.”
He added: “Everyone wants to see him, he’s box office. But the problem is that life goes so fast, especially in football, and I don’t know if there’s a club that can match what he needs to succeed. It might be time for him to consider international management, where he’s still on a big enough stage for his talents.”
Closer to home, Nottingham Forest have found themselves unexpectedly linked with Mourinho amid reports of growing tension between boss Nuno Espirito Santo and owner Evangelos Marinakis. With the relationship reportedly strained, Mourinho’s name has been tossed into the rumour mill as a potential replacement. While the prospect of Marinakis and Mourinho working together is pure drama fodder, Gallas is unconvinced.
“I definitely want to see Jose Mourinho back in the Premier League,” he said. “I think I’m one of millions who wants to see him, not just back in the Premier League, but lifting that league title one more time. I still want to see him be champion of Europe one more time.
“We know that the press will want him back, too. Every time there’s a job opening in the Premier League, they’re going to link him with it. With his personality, everyone will want him back in the Premier League. But it can’t just be any club in the league, it has to be one that can match his ambition.”
Turning specifically to the Forest chatter, Gallas was dismissive.
“Nottingham Forest, I don’t see them convincing him to join them,” he said. “Can you imagine Evangelos Marinakis and Jose Mourinho, what a combination! That would definitely have some sort of drama involved. I don’t think Forest, the owner or Mourinho need that right now.”
For any club contemplating Mourinho, the decision is far from simple. His CV speaks for itself: three Premier League titles with Chelsea, Champions League glory with Porto and Inter Milan, and silverware almost everywhere he’s gone. But his last few roles, Roma and now Fenerbahce, have ended in acrimony and questions about whether his methods still resonate with modern players. If Forest, Rangers, or indeed any side were to make a play, they would be gambling on Mourinho’s experience and charisma outweighing the friction that so often follows in his wake.
