‘ I am not the Special One ‘ – Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu rejects tag after NPFL triumph

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored Rangers International FC were crowned Nigeria Premier Football League champions on Sunday evening.

Following their triumph, Rangers International manager Fidelis Ilechukwu has responded to social media comparisons with former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after leading his team to their first league title in eight years.

Ilechukwu, 45, has distanced himself from the “special one” tag, famously associated with Mourinho. Instead, he described himself as “the WORKING ONE.”

Ilechukwu guided Rangers to the 2023/2024 NPFL crown with a game to spare, following a 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance on Sunday. This marks his first league title as a manager.

Under his leadership, Rangers maintained an unbeaten home record, winning 17 and drawing two of their 19 matches at the Cathedral.

In a tweet on his X handle, the former MFM, Heartland FC and Plateau United boss wrote: “I’m not the special one. They call me the WORKING ONE.”

Rangers’ triumph ends an eight-year wait for a league championship, with their last success in 2016. Ilechukwu hopes this season’s victory will lead to further success, including targeting glory in the Champions League next term.