Latest news with #JoseMourinho
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
I agreed Rangers return after Russell Martin conversation which ended with this six word message
The former Ibrox interim is back penning his weekly column for Record Sport and starts by lifting the lid on his chat with the man who replaced him Let me start by saying thank you. Thanks to the players for all their hard work. Thanks to the board for giving me the opportunity to live my dream and for giving me their backing. Thanks to the staff who did all that they could to help myself and my backroom team. But, most of all, thank-you to the supporters for being there with us, every step of the way. And maybe reminding me of why I was one of them in the first place. I'm genuinely grateful for everything. Honestly? The experience and the backing we were given during our time in charge was almost overwhelming. Let's just say, I loved every single moment of the journey even though it didn't last all that long and despite the odd bump along the way. The fact is it was an absolute privilege to be the manager of the Rangers for three months of my life and I will take the memories of that time to my grave. I'm humble enough to realise that not many people will ever get to stand on the sidelines and live out that same dream. But now I get to go back to being what I have always been, since I first learned to walk and talk as a little nipper - and that's a Rangers supporter. Since the end of last season I haven't spoken much about the whole experience. I guess I needed time to get away, lie on a sun lounger with my family around me and process what was, for a while, a life changing set of circumstances. To be honest, even now it still feels like one huge blur. I do remember the moment that it sunk in for the first time. We had just landed back in Glasgow after beating Fenerbahce 3-1 in Istanbul. I had just come face-to-face with Jose Mourinho in the dugout. I mean, it doesn't get any more surreal. Anyway, the days and weeks leading up to that Europa League tie had been utter mayhem. Up early every morning to get into Auchenhowie, back home late every night. It was long hours but I made a promise to myself that I was going to give this job every ounce of energy I had for as long as it lasted. Which meant there wasn't really time to stop and to think about what was actually happening. All I could do was live in the moment. But as soon as the flight hit the tarmac, I knew what I wanted for dinner that night. A sausage supper, four pickles and two fritters. I just wanted to get back to being Barry! So I drove straight to my favourite local chippy before heading back to the house. Let's just say, this particular shop is in a predominantly Rangers area. And the warmth of the reaction I got from the rest of the customers when I walked in actually took me back. Then, as I was waiting for my order to get wrapped up behind the counter, what comes on the TV? My interview after full time in Fenerbahce. And, honestly, that's when it hit me. I was the manager of Rangers. And I'd just got one over on Jose Mourinho. The drive home only takes about five or 10 minutes. But that's when it all began to really register. I know it sounds daft but I hadn't had a moment to think about it all up until that short car trip. The most important thing, I decided, was that I had to be myself. That's what I tried to do throughout the three or four months and I hope, over that time, that people saw the real me for themselves. And now it's just as important that I get to being me again and living the life I had before everything changed. That's why I'm back writing my column for the Daily Record today and back doing my ambassadorial role for the club. Before I agreed to do that I did have a conversation with Russell Martin. The last thing I wanted to do was cause him any unnecessary distraction. The details of what we discussed will remain private but I will say this, I came off the phone feeling more relaxed about everything and confident that Russell is the right man to move the club forward. My last words to him were, 'Listen, I'll be right behind you'. And that's exactly how it was on Tuesday night when I walked back into Ibrox for the first time since the 3-1 win over Dundee United on May 14. Did it feel strange? Of course it did. I'd be lying if I said anything else. But I bumped into a few fans on my way in and it settled me down straight away. I met some of the staff and I couldn't have been made to feel any more welcome. Without wanting to sound cheesy, it felt like coming home. And once the game started I was back to being a Rangers supporter all over again, just like everyone else inside the stadium. And the most important thing of all is that we got to celebrate a victory together. That was a big win for the new manager coming as it did at a very tricky stage in the summer. He said himself afterwards, there was a lot to be positive about and some other things that still need to be worked on. That's to be expected because Rangers are a work in progress for the time being. Hand on heart, I've been impressed by the way that he speaks and the manner in which he's gone about making changes to the squad and to the style of play. There's no doubt this guy knows what he's trying to put together. So to beat a side like Panathinaikos in his first competitive game in charge was a great way to start the job. Now what he'll be focussing on is going over to Athens next week and finishing off the job. Forget about the safety net of the Europa League. Just make sure you get the result needed to get into the next round of qualifiers against Servette or Plzen - and then take it on from there. Believe me when I say, there is no bigger honour than being the manager of Rangers Football Club. And for Russell Martin, the journey starts here. I wish him nothing but the best.
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho brutally dismisses Chelsea's Club World Cup win with pre-season comparison
Chelsea claimed FIFA's Club World Cup in the United States of America but Jose Mourinho has played down their success, likening it to a pre-season tour despite the Blues' excitement Jose Mourinho has claimed the Club World Cup was "only important for Chelsea" and that watching the tournament reminded him of "every time I went to the United States for pre-season". The Blues became the first side to win the newly expanded FIFA tournament, which included a host of the world's top sides. Chelsea produced an upset in the final to see off PSG 3-0 despite the French side being heavy favourites after hammering Real Madrid in the semi-finals. En route to the final, Chelsea beat Benfica, Palmeiras and Fluminense. Enzo Maresca hailed his side's effort and ramped up the importance of the Club World Cup as he said: 'I think it will become as important as the Champions League and we value it as much as winning the Champions League.' That was despite some of the sport's major teams, Barcelona and Liverpool among them, not being given a chance to participate. And Mourinho, now in charge of Fenerbahce, hinted that the tournament was a little more than a glorified pre-season trip. The Special One told Canal 11: "This Club World Cup also highlighted a kid who also had a great season at Chelsea, Cole Palmer. But this run to the semi-finals reminded me every time I went to the United States for pre-season with Real Madrid and Inter, it reminded me a little of those games we played there. "So, I think this Club World Cup title is only important for Chelsea, as they'll sell a lot of jerseys with the logo on there. So, I think PSG was the big winner this season, not because of what they did domestically, because they always win domestically, but winning the Champions League and the way they did, especially with the idea of losing their best player." The ex-Blues boss made his thoughts clear as he added: "I think this PSG team is the best team of the season." The Parisians claimed the treble under Luis Enrique and secured the biggest winning margin in Champions League final history. The Club World Cup itself divided opinion. Jurgen Klopp was scathing in his assessment whilst plenty of games were not played in front of capacity crowds. It also included teams like Auckland City, who included a number of part-time players. Chelsea star Levi Colwill though echoed the thoughts of his manager as he claimed: "This is the biggest trophy I've ever won. I think the Club World Cup will be bigger than the Champions League and we were the first team to win it." The Blues will return to the Champions League this term having finished fourth.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho renews feud with Pep Guardiola as he aims 'stupid' blast at rival
Jose Mourinho has hit out at managers who refuse to be flexible when it comes to playing styles while name-checking his great rival Pep Guardiola's treatment of Joe Hart Jose Mourinho has appeared to risk reigniting his feud with Pep Guardiola by presenting a treaty on the modern game in which he highlighted the Manchester City coach and claimed: 'If you die with your idea, you're stupid.' The Fenerbahce boss, who is on a training camp in Portugal, has said football has changed 'radically' since the early days of his career and believes managers are now building reputations based entirely on their style than an ability to win. And in an interview with Canal 11 the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, who has not won a league title since his second spell at Stamford Bridge in 2014/15, said too much focus on an unwavering commitment to a set playing style will never be a recipe for success. 'Today, there's no such thing as a single game model,' he said. 'There are many ways to play. There's no longer a tactical system, there are many ways to build and defend. 'This means training in a much more tactical way, where players must grow and acquire new knowledge. The problem is wanting to copy and paste without the necessary conditions to do so. "Playing from the back with a wooden goalkeeper is complicated. I remember Guardiola had Hart, the best English goalkeeper. But he wanted Claudio Bravo, but that wasn't enough. So he signed Ederson. 'There are coaches who try things that don't work and fail, but they say, 'I died with my idea.' If you die with your idea, you're stupid. Coaches have to adapt their ideas to what they have.' Mourinho also took aim at managers arriving in the Premier League with set philosophies around how their teams should play but no record of winning trophies. He added: 'Today coaches whose names I don't even know go to the Premier League, and I don't say that without respect, it's true. 'Some coaches are chosen by dates, numbers, not by victories. Perceptions are created, and today the idea is sold that, more important than winning, is playing like this, looking like this... at that level, things have changed radically,"
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayern Munich's Bryan Zaragoza personally turned down Jose Mourinho in phone call
Kicker reports that Bayern Munich winger Bryan Zaragoza personally nixed a chance to join Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahçe. The Spaniard's reputation for being a difficult personality finds more confirmation. Zaragoza is thought to have played a role in a failed move to Celta Vigo earlier this summer. The 23-year-old's Bundesliga club continues to seek a way of ending what has been a very expensive misunderstanding. Kicker does not explicitly confirm whether Zaragoza himself had something to do with potential transfers to Celta Vigo and Real Betis that have not been realized. The German magazine simply states that Bayern wish to sell the player they once paid a combined €17m to acquire in January 2024. Other clubs are only interested in loans. Insofar as potential links with Bournemouth are concerned, Kicker has nothing further to add at this juncture. Kicker does claim that Fenerbahçe put a low double-digit million Euro offer on the table. Zaragoza, per Germany's most reliable footballing publication, then goes on to note that Zaragoza personally turned down Mourinho on the phone. GGFN |
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mourinho Takes Aim at Guardiola: "You're Not Always Right, Pep"
The Portuguese tactician slams blind imitation and questions Guardiola's goalkeeper choices Mourinho Takes Aim at Guardiola: "You're Not Always Right, Pep" Jose Mourinho's fired sharp volley at Man City boss Pep Guardiola questioning his tactical decisions & warning against blindly copying top coaches. "Stop Copying Without the Right Tools" In interview with Canal 11, the Fenerbahce manager criticized the modern trend of replicating elite tactics without context. "There's no longer one single playing model. Football has evolved. Today you need complex training methods and adaptable players. The problem's when coaches copy paste ideas without the proper conditions" said Mourinho. Direct Shot at Guardiola Mourinho didn't shy away from naming names using Guardiola as cautionary example: "Playing out from the back with wooden legged goalkeeper's tough. I remember Pep'd Joe Hart England's best at the time , but he wanted Claudio Bravo and even that wasn't enough. Then came Ederson" "Adapt or Be Foolish" The former Real Madrid & Chelsea boss ended with blunt message: "Some coaches fail and say: I died with my idea , But if you die with your idea you're a fool. Coaches must adapt their ideas to their resources"
