Jose Mourinho and the greatest managerial mismatch of our time

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 25 Feb 2025 06:04 CST
• 4 min read

Barry Ferguson is unlikely to be a name that Jose Mourinho will have thought about too much lately, yet the former Scotland midfielder has suddenly become a major factor in the life of the Fenerbahce boss.

Ferguson was unexpectedly named as interim manager of Rangers on Monday. One of his first tasks will be challenging Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side in the Europa League next Thursday in what is the last great target for the Ibrox club in what has been a meek season.

Rangers took the decision to sack Philippe Clement following a wretched run of form that included a Scottish Cup defeat by Championship side Queen’s Park and was followed a fortnight later by a 2-0 home loss against St Mirren.

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The Gers have watched Celtic disappear over the hill in the Scottish Premiership en route to another trophy-laden season, and while the Light Blues have the consolation of remaining in Europe longer than their Glasgow rivals, Mourinho is out to ensure that is a short-lived distinction.

Mourinho might have enjoyed titanic duels with Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, but interim Rangers boss Barry (no relation), is a veritable managerial flyweight in comparison.

Indeed, this could very well be the greatest managerial mismatch European knockout football has seen.

Mourinho vs Ferguson

On one hand, there is Mourinho, regarded as one of the best man-managers in modern football history. To prove it, he has a couple of Champions Leagues, three Premier Leagues, a LaLiga title and a Europa League crown amongst many other prizes.

On the other, there is Barry Ferguson, a two-time winner of the Scottish Lowland League (fifth tier) and absolutely nothing else. Most recently, he was in charge of Alloa (third tier), storming in as their 11th-best manager by win percentage over the last 30 years. There’s a strong argument he has been their worst manager over that period.

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The decision of the Rangers board to appoint the 47-year-old is one fuelled by little more than sentiment. Ferguson was an iconic player for the club and represents the last great ‘Rangers man’ from their most recent golden age more than 15 years ago.

The hope is that he will be able to transfer his passion to an ailing group and somehow salvage a campaign that has laid bare what a wretched stage the Ibrox giants are in.

Frank Lampard’s spell as Chelsea caretaker is the closest Premier League equivalent, yet even his managerial achievements both before and after dwarf anything Ferguson has achieved.

Mourinho and Fenerbahce will certainly not be shaking in their boots as Rangers’ awful campaign threatens to take another embarrassing turn.