The iconic boss is facing mounting pressure in Istanbul with the prospect of a trophyless campaign coming into view
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Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho issued a coy response over his future at the club amid speculation he could become the next Rangers boss.
The Istanbul giants are staring down the barrel of a trophyless season as they sit five points adrift of leaders Galatasaray – with Barry Ferguson’s Light Blues dumping Fener out of the Europa League and Galatasaray ending their Turkish Cup hopes.
That has left the boss feeling the pressure from the fans in Turkey amid links with a return to British football – with the legendary boss named as a contender in Turkey for the Ibrox top job when the takeover of Rangers is rubber-stamped.
Leeds United have also been touted as a potential destination after they secured promotion to the English Premier League.
And following the 3-1 win over Gaziantep, the 62-year-old was put on the spot about his future amid the rising Fener fury.
He kept the focus on the upcoming clash with Besiktas, stating: “The focus is on the derby first, not on the remaining matches. Nothing else.”
Reports suggest that Mourinho would walk away with a £25million payoff should the club pull the trigger midway through his two year deal – with a reduced fee between £17m and £19m should both the club and boss agree to part ways.
Club president Ali Koc insists that the club are in no rush to make a change as he showed the club’s cards over the two-time Champions League winner.
He told Turkish media: “Who knows what will happen in the coming weeks. We are in favour of stability in terms of coaching and we do not want to start from scratch every year.”
Speaking in March, Mourinho opened the door for a sensational switch to the Scottish Premiership after taking his side to Glasgow on European duty.
He said: “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?”
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