We simulated Jose Mourinho as Celtic and Rangers manager and the results were fascinating
Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce side take on Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday evening and the Portuguese boss has expressed an interest in managing his next opponents - as well as rivals Celtic.
Mourinho has had a long and successful career managing in Portugal, England, Italy, Spain and now Turkey but Scotland has a special place in his heart as that is where he first did his coaching badges back in the 1990s.
And ahead of the clash with two-time Europa League finalists Rangers, Mourinho did admit he would be open to taking charge of any of Glasgow's big two in the future - though stressed he is happy with his current job.
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Speaking in his press conference, Mourinho said: "In this moment, no, because I have a job that motivates me and a job that demands loyalty. But why not in the future?
"People can say that the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it's a league of passion It's a league of passion. And for me, passion in football is everything.
"For me, to play in empty stadiums, to play in competitions where there is not that fire of the passion doesn't make any sense.
"And Celtic and Rangers, they are big clubs with big fan bases, with big emotions, big responsibilities, big expectations. Why not?
"But in this moment, I have a job. Celtic has a fantastic coach like Brendan (Rodgers). Rangers has (Barry) Ferguson now, so full respect for them and I'm not searching for a new job."
But how would Mourinho fare in the SPFL? We gave 'the Special One' both jobs on Football Manager and here's what the simulation came up with:
Mourinho as manager of Celtic and Rangers
At Celtic, Mourinho stormed to yet another league title - accruing 96 points and losing just two games across the domestic campaign to finish 20 points clear of Rangers.
New signing Maxi Gomez, formerly of Valencia and Trabzonspor, was in fine form and hit 23 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.
They did not progress from the Champions League group stage and suffered a shock Scottish Cup exit to Livingston in the fourth round - although they did go all the way in the Premier Sports Cup.
However things were not as successful at Ibrox for Mourinho. In the league, Rangers finished second to Celtic - finishing a whopping 28 points behind and just three points ahead of Aberdeen in third.
In the Champions League, Rangers did not even reach the group stage after being eliminated by Austrian side Sturm Graz in the third qualifying round.
They then dropped into the Europa League but were beaten by Sevilla in the knockout play-off.
Hibs beat Mourinho's men in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, with the team reaching the next round in the Premier Sports Cup but being knocked out by Celtic.
Danilo was the club's top scorer with 27 goals in 47 games, with Cyriel Dessers following behind with 15.
Topics:Â Jose Mourinho, Celtic, Rangers, Europa League
Josh Lawless