Jose Mourinho response to obnoxious Philippe Clement criticism is perfect ‘on the pitch’ Rangers reminder
Philippe Clement had some choice words about Jose Mourinho’s tactical philosophy just days before being sacked as Rangers manager.
After Rangers drew Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the Europa League, Philippe Clement was asked about going toe-to-toe with the Istanbul club’s current manager Jose Mourinho.
Clement’s answer certainly raised a few eyebrows amongst Rangers fans with Mourinho nailed on to respond when the Europa League tie rolled round.
As it turns out, Mourinho reckons Barry Ferguson is a more notable adversary as he landed one final blow on the outgoing Gers boss.
But the comments ahead of the first leg of the Round of 16 clash in the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium send a reminder of what really matters at Ibrox.
READ MORE: What happened last time Rangers met Jose Mourinho?
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
What did Philippe Clement say about Jose Mourinho?
Philippe Clement gave a nonplussed answer when asked if this was the first time he’d ever faced Jose Mourinho after Rangers were drawn against Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
“To be honest, I think so, yeah,” said Clement, speaking on February 21st. “I had Man United a few years ago, but I don’t think it was him at that moment.
“It’s not a personal thing. Like I always said, it’s about the club, it’s about the players. So I’m not so busy against which manager did I manage one moment in time.”
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The under pressure Rangers manager then appeared to dig himself a hole when he suggested he was not a fan of Jose Mourinho’s ‘defensive tactics’.
“Of course he’s somebody who won that many trophies,” said Clement.
“So there are different managers with different styles. He won a lot of trophies in a certain style. I like even more managers with another style, but the respect is there.
“It’s about winning at the end and he did that at several places with several teams and winning the biggest trophies that you can win in the world.
“So yeah, it’s normal to respect a lot somebody who did that.”
When one journalist smelled blood, Clement continued: ”He’s somebody who’s more in the defensive and reacting out of that style.
”I prefer more the managers, personally, who go full in their attacking force and playing out of that.
“But incredible respect in the way he did it. That’s just a personal preference.”
Jose Mourinho sends Philippe Clement reminder
Philippe Clement’s comments on Jose Mourinho would immediately backfire when the Rangers manager was sacked days later following defeat to St Mirren.
Clement had suggested that Mourinho would give the press a ‘lot of material’ ahead of the Europa League clash but when pressed on the Belgian’s comments, Mourinho initially wouldn’t bite.
“I didn’t answer the question about (Jorge) Jesus and Okan Buruk,” said Mourinho.
”Do you think I am going to comment on… what’s his name? Philippe Clement? I’m not going to answer.”
‘What’s his name? Philippe Clement. I’m not going to answer that’ 😬
Jose Mourinho would rather speak about the current Rangers boss.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/g2iQ04mGuh
But the Special One couldn’t resist landing one indirect blow on Clement when he talked up interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson.
The legendary ex-Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma manager reckons it’ll be more difficult with Ferguson in charge.
Why? Well because Clement was more concerned with tactical philosophies than he was with winning football matches.
”It’s going to be much more difficult with him as the coach than with the previous coach,” explains Mourinho.
”Because the previous coach was more worried about philosophy than on the pitch.
“It’s on the pitch that you win matches, it’s not with philosophy and for sure Ferguson will be much more pragmatic, much more objective and will be hard for us. But it’s going to be hard for them.”
For many, Philippe Clement didn’t ever quite understand what was required to be Rangers manager with soundbites about tactics, philosophies or growth eventually wearing thin.
Even Clement’s outgoing message to Rangers fans after being relieved of his duties split supporters.
At Ibrox, winning is all that matters and that’s probably what separates Jose Mourinho from Philippe Clement in the end.
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