Jose is my go-to guy for advice
Pedro Caixinha says heart-to-heart talks with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho have convinced him that he’ll be a success at Ibrox.
The pair have started up a college course for aspiring coaches in their native Portugal.
And the Rangers manager insists there’s no one else he would rather go to for help.
He said: “I have spoken often with Jose since taking this job.
“If you ask me which manager you would call to discuss football and training then it’s him.
“When I was an assistant and looking for knowledge he helped put me in the right direction.
“Now my time is overloaded but whenever I do need to speak to Jose, I go directly to him. He is the only one in football – there is no one better.”
Caixinha has no doubts the words of wisdom from the two- time Champions League winner have made him a better gaffer.
He said: “His advice has helped me, totally. We speak about direction and conviction, how to be convinced about the methodology you use and the way you use it.
“We discuss training and matches, the preparation for each and the relationship between training and matches. Talking to him confirmed my belief that I’m on the right track, especially as he is the best.
“We share so much – the same methodology which we call tactical periodisation. So we share the way we perform, the way we organise and see the training.”
The Ibrox gaffer has also drawn inspiration from American sports, an interest that began during his time working in Mexico.
He said: “I read one fantastic book from one of the best coaches in American football – Bill Walsh, who led the San Francisco 49ers from nothing, the worst franchise in the NFL to the best.
“He just said to get surrounded by the right people. And that is what we are doing.
“When I had free time in Mexico I went to watch the NBA.
“We were close to the Houston Rockets and Dallas so I went there to watch the Cowboys (in the NFL).
“There is a lot to learn from there, there is a lot of transference between top sports, especially club sports, and I always want to learn more.
“I just went to the games but you always look to learn more from everything that surrounds it.”