Around the millennium shift, the life and career of José Mourinho were molded by Scotland.
For his own admission, if it had not been because of his decision to spend time learning his trade in the Riviera de Ayrshire, there is no guarantee that nothing that came later had materialized.
These were the intermediate days for the Setubal man in Portugal. He had worked as an interpreter for Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon and Porto then got the work of an assistant coach under Louis Van Gaal in Barcelona.
But without a real play career to resort to, Mourinho feared that the opportunities in the game he longed for would not reach their way.
Having promised himself that he would do everything in his possession to improve his chances of climbing the stairs, he enrolled in a SFA training course in Largs and packed his suitcases.
It is a decision that would play an important role in taking it from Seville to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford to Rome and now to Istanbul, winning 26 important honors along the way, including five European trophies.
It is not exaggerated to suggest that the best known city for its part of the Vikingas battles and the rival ice cream halls was a great springboard in the career of one of the most combative people in putting a foot in a technical area. Those training days clearly occupy a loved place in their heart.
José Mourinho went to Largs at the beginning of his career as a coach to know his trade
Mourinho worked with the legendary Bobby Robson in Barcelona in the late 90s
Mourinho then went to coach Porto with great success, before moving to Chelsea
“For Largs pubs, it was a disaster because I was only drinking water with lemon,” Mourinho recalled with a smile.
'But for me it was fantastic from the learning point of view, but also by the human point of view.
'I met the biggest boys in Scottish football at that time. They were very open, they were very good in training.
“Sometimes I feel that training badges are simply” give me badges and on the way to badges. “
'It wasn't that. It was really a learning process for a few weeks in different periods. It was amazing for me.
'That coaching course, at the methodology level, was very important. He opened some different doors to enter and develop. So, it was very good.
'And after that, many times, even with younger friends and coaches, they ask me where I must go, where you think it could be a good first step. I always tell the boys, the right thing is to go there.
At the beginning of his managerial trip, Mourinho had brief periods in charge of Benfica and Uniao de Leiria, but it would be on his return to Porto in 2002 that his star began to increase.
In his first season, he guided the team to the Portuguese title and then an epic confrontation with Celta de Martin O'Neill in the UEFA Cup final.
In what would become a typical result under his watch in the next two decades, Porto exceeded a game that could easily have gone in any way.
All these years and clubs later, still listen to words of gratitude of those with loyalties in the other half of Glasgow.
“Not in Türkiye, because in Türkiye, I still didn't meet any Scottish person,” he explained.
'But yes, it is true, especially in London, or in southern Portugal in the summer, some rangers have come to me.
'Of course, for me, it was a great final. It was my first European final. But I have the greatest respect for both the great clubs and for the families of great defenders.
'Celtic and the Rangers are two great clubs with an incredible story also in Europe and I have a lot of respect.
'Part of my training was in Scotland. I have so many Scottish friends of both colors, green and blue.
Mourinho now trains Fenerbahce – who faces the Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday
Having spent most of their training days to this point in the five best leagues in Europe, later meetings with Glasgow giants have been scarce.
He took his Chelsea side to Ibrox for a friendly in 2007, then blocked the horns with Celtic in a friendly preseason in the United States as Real Madrid manager.
However, about 22 years after Seville, another competitive meeting has taken a long time to arrive.
“I know it will be difficult,” Mourinho said about tonight's crash with Rangers. 'But I am very happy to play against a Scottish team. I am very happy to go next week to Scotland and play in Ibrox.
For the side of Barry Ferguson, the goal is to clearly make sure they are still in dispute in the draw when that happens.
It is not just the worrying way of visitors that will worry the 2,000 fans who have made the trip here. Fenerbahce's last defeat in any competition went to Bilbao Atlético in the Europa League on December 11.
“The reason we are 18 unbeatable games in the three competitions is because we face difficult moments with courage, with humility, with a good spirit,” said Mourinho.
'This is a great sport. It belongs to all. It belongs to the manager, belongs to the coach, belongs to the attendees, belongs to the players, belongs to the fans.
'Therefore, when we are together, when everyone pulls the ball in the same direction, each success will come. And at this time, we feel that this is the case.
While that race has not yet been good enough to supplant Galatasaray at the top of the Super Lig, the followers here worship the land in which it is located. And little is surprising.
His press conference at the stadium yesterday was standing only one hour before he turned on the room with his charisma.
Traditionally, the Portuguese held the court, made bold statements and then released some shots through the bow to those who had lacked respect since the last time he sat under the glow of the lights.
Having hung the carrot of perhaps handling in Scotland one day, he even addressed the issue of his contract expired in 2026.
“My future, I don't think it's important,” he insisted.
'The important thing is the future of Fenerbahce. You know what football is like, but I have my contract for one more season after this and at this time, I only think of Fenerbahce and my duty and my loyalty to the club.
It was 26 minutes of Pure Sporting Theater. After a week and a half of the commercial insults with Galatasaray and launch a legal action against the rival club after they accused him of racist comments after the recent derby, Mourinho even managed to be innocent.
“I don't know what statements do,” he said directly. “I didn't know much about Fenerbahce before arriving.
'All I know is that I promised fans when I arrived that I was going to fight for them.
'I always thought that the fight would be just a normal fight to give everything every day, work hard, try to win as many games as possible in fair competition.
“In the end, after a few months, I realized that I had to be a little more than that.”