Jose Mourinho believes he is a better coach now than he was when Manchester United manager.

Mourinho made the comments before his Fenerbahce team were beaten 3-1 at home by Rangers in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie. The Scottish side took the lead inside six minutes through striker Cyriel Dessers before Alexander Djiku equalised midway through the first half.

Barry Ferguson's team then retook the lead before the break as Dessers turned provider for Vaclav Cerny. The latter eventually doubled their advantage nine minutes from time after VAR twice denied Dessers a second goal.

Asked by TNT Sports what went wrong for Fenerbahce during the match, Mourinho replied: "Everything."

"The result is good for us. I would say the result was closer to being bigger than smaller, so it is a good result for us."

Mourinho later acknowledged Rangers "deserved the result" and when asked whether his players had underestimated their out-of-form opponents, stated: "If they did, I didn't. If they didn't, it was not my fault because I prepared the game as always." He also stressed that the tie is "not over" despite the two-goal deficit.

Mourinho's previous comments to the broadcaster earlier this week in advance of the match epitomise his confidence about Fenerbahce's chances at turning the tie around and keeping them on course to a potential semi-final with United. "I have changed for the better," he told TNT Sports.

"I think I am a better coach than before, more experienced, everything looks like deja vu." He explained: "I have had 200 matches in Europe and everything has happened.

"I think less about myself and more about the others, my players, my board, the fans of my club. I feel much better now than before. Of course, I change physically, but as a coach, I am better than before."