Rangers’ chances of hiring Jose Mourinho as their next manager could hinge on one key factor, according to a new update regarding their next boss.

Latest on Rangers' next manager

After bowing out of the Europa League at the hands of Athletic Bilbao last week, Barry Ferguson feels increasingly unlikely to be handed the Gers job on a permanent basis. The former captain has done a good job at times, mopping up after the disappointing reign of Philippe Clement, but he has only won four of his 10 matches in charge in all competitions.

Steven Gerrard has been strongly linked with a return to Ibrox, having led the Gers to Scottish Premiership title glory back in 2020/21, with the Liverpool legend perhaps feeling that he has unfinished business at the club. The 44-year-old was most recently in charge of Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq.

Former Southampton boss Russell Martin has also emerged as an alternative to Gerrard, with the Englishman favouring a ball-playing style, while Sean Dyche has been mentioned as an option, too, and would bring a very different approach. Mourinho’s name has also been mooted, and a now fresh claim has dropped regarding Rangers potentially hiring him this summer.

Mourinho has one key demand for 49ers

According to TEAMtalk, Mourinho “would be open” to becoming Rangers’ next manager, as has been recently reported, but only if he is backed with “new additions” by 49ers Enterprises. The update also claims that the Gers “have not approached his entourage yet”, with Gerrard still looking like the front-runner to replace Ferguson.

Rangers hiring Mourinho would be one of the most high-profile appointments in the club’s history, considering the Portuguese is among the most successful managers of his generation.

The 62-year-old is a two-time Champions League winner, having led both Porto and Inter Milan to European glory, and there is also the small matter of him winning eight league titles in four different countries – the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Primeira Liga.

Mourinho possesses the winning mentality to help bridge the gap between Rangers and Celtic, and he has the ability to create a siege mentality and endear himself to his own supporters.

Admittedly, at 62, he may not quite be at his absolute peak as a manager anymore – he would arguably be in a bigger job than Fenerbahce if that was the case – but he remains a born winner who could be an instant hero at Ibrox.

The fact that Rangers haven’t approached Mourinho yet does suggest that he is an outside bet to come in at the end of the season, with Gerrard feeling like the more likely choice.

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For all the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager’s controversial character, though, there is no doubt that the Gers hiring him would be a huge story and a potentially game-changing appointment.