"I cannot deny": Unbeaten Porto boss makes confession over Rangers manager talks amid Rohl praise
The Porto boss was linked with the vacant managerial role at Rangers in the summer.
Porto boss Francesco Farioli has revealed how close he came to becoming Rangers manager following links to the vacant managerial role in the summer.
The 36-year-old has been a roaring success at Estádio do Dragão since being appointed head coach in July, leading them to the top of Liga Portugal, having won 18 of their first 19 games in charge. Conceding just four league goals all season, Porto holds a seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Currently in the Europa League table ahead of their home game with Danny Rohl’s side late this week, the former Nice manager will be aiming to take their unbeaten domestic form into the clash with Rangers on Thursday, where a win could secure a top-eight spot and seal automatic qualification to the last 16 of the competition.
It could have all been very different for the Porto boss, though, with the Italian boss strongly linked to the head coach role at Ibrox prior to the appointment of Russell Martin, and Farioli has confessed that he has previously held discussions over the manager’s role in Govan ahead of this week’s clash with Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday.
“I cannot deny that I had some contact with the club [Rangers] in the past," said Farioli. "The main one was years ago when Ross Wilson was the sporting director there. At the time, I was closer to the opportunity. It is a great club, a club of big tradition in the UK and in European competitions.
“I was very grateful to receive these type of calls, but life lead me to some other interesting and big projects. Today I am really grateful for the place where I am. I renewed my contract and I am really happy to be at Porto.”
Farioli, who spent a year in charge of Ajax last season, revealed he had kept up to date with Rangers since the beginning of the season, and took time to praise the work of German head coach Rohl, who has kick-started a winning run of his own, securing 14 league wins in his first 17 games as manager.
“I have followed the team, yes,” said Farioli. “They did not start well, but they have improved a lot since Danny Rohl arrived. Rangers are very lucky with the coach they have. We have a lot of respect for Rangers and we have to maintain a high level of motivation.”
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