Jose Mourinho claim about Benfica causes pre Rangers ructions as Special One wades into a crisis

A-list Jose Mourinho has cranked up the pressure on under-fire Roger Schmidt ahead of Benfica's crunch Europa League tie with Rangers this week after revealing he might be interested in a return to the club.

Rangers face the Portuguese heavyweights in Glasgow in the Round of 16 second leg after a pulsating 2-2 draw in Lisbon last week. German boss Schmidt has been heavily criticised in Portugal after Benfica crashed to a derby loss to Sporting Lisbon and a thumping from Porto and a home draw with Rangers hasn't helped his cause.

And former Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Roma and Inter Milan legend has refused to rule out an emotional return to Benfica - his first job in management in 2000. He managed Benfica for just nine league games before resigning after new president Manuel Vilarinho refused to offer him a new contract.

Mourinho said: "Benfica are part of my past. Only God will know about my future. I live near Lisbon. Going to Estadio da Luz is easy - 20 minutes and I'm there. I get very well looked after, but I also go to Sporting Lisbon too and they do the same. At the moment, I am taking advantage of some downtime and being able to do the things I like."

Mourinho joined Uniao de Leiria after his Benfica experience and was then headhunted by Porto, where he won the UEFA Cup against Celtic in 2003 and followed that up with the Champions League the following year.