Mourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd in 2013
The veteran coach reveals in a new documentary that he signed to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 before changing his mind to rejoin Chelsea instead.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Jose Mourinho confirms he signed to manage Manchester United in 2013
- He changed his mind to return to Chelsea for a second spell
- Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Mourinho was indeed offered the job
- He eventually managed United later in 2016 and won the Europa League
After years of speculation surrounding his career, Jose Mourinho has finally confirmed that he originally agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013. Speaking in a new Netflix documentary series detailing his managerial journey, the 63-year-old coach explained that upon leaving Real Madrid, he put pen to paper to succeed the legendary manager who retired after winning 13 Premier League titles across 26 years at Old Trafford. Sir Alex himself confirmed that the job was indeed offered to the Portuguese tactician.
The course of football history shifted when Mourinho felt he simply could not turn down the chance to return to Chelsea. Having previously led the Stamford Bridge club to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, the pull of West London proved too strong. While Sir Alex admitted he could understand the reasoning behind the sudden shift, he confessed to feeling disappointed by the U-turn.
"The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed."
Sir Alex Ferguson
Mourinho elaborated on his decision by emphasizing that love for a specific club often transcends a general love for football. Following his departure from Real Madrid, he explained that he fundamentally needed to feel deeply loved and appreciated by his club. Upon returning to Stamford Bridge in 2013, he secured his third Premier League title alongside a League Cup triumph.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This revelation sheds light on one of the most intriguing 'what-if' scenarios in modern English football history. Had Mourinho taken the Old Trafford hotseat in 2013 instead of returning to Chelsea, the subsequent managerial trajectories of both Manchester United and the Blues would have looked drastically different. United ultimately waited until May 2016, following stints under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, before finally appointing Mourinho as their permanent manager.
Mourinho's eventual tenure at Old Trafford began in May 2016 when he succeeded Louis van Gaaal. Over a two-and-a-half-year period, he added a League Cup and a UEFA Europa League trophy to the club's cabinet before parting ways in December 2018 following a slump in results.
Source: BBC Sport
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