Jose Mourinho has revealed that he signed to become Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement at Manchester United in 2013 before backing out of the agreement to return to Chelsea. The 63-year-old Portuguese manager, who is now back in charge at Real Madrid, managed the Old Trafford club between 2016 and 2018 but has now admitted for the first time that he agreed to take charge three years earlier.
Mourinho had just left Real Madrid in dramatic circumstances and was looking for his next project when he was approached by Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson. Ferguson was searching for a successor after leaving the club following a trophy-laden 26 years at the helm. Until now, it was believed that Ferguson only had eyes for David Moyes, but Mourinho disclosed that he was actually Ferguson's first choice in a new three-part Netflix docu-series titled MOURINHO, which is set to air on Tuesday.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirms Manchester United offer
Speaking in the documentary, Mourinho said: "I go to Chelsea in 2013. But in that period, there is something that nobody knows. I think I can say because I don't hurt anyone with the truth. And I think the objective of the work that we are doing is to tell the truth. When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex."
Following the statement, the documentary shows Ferguson confirming that he asked Mourinho to take over from him at Manchester United. Ferguson said: "He was offered the job, yes. I sat him down and explained the situation, and as far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then within hours, it changed."
Despite verbally agreeing with Ferguson to become his successor, Mourinho made a U-turn and decided instead to go back to his former club Chelsea six years after his initial departure. Ferguson said: "Early evening, he phoned me, and he was crying. He said, 'I can’t take it, I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word'. The reason he gave to me, I can understand, but I was disappointed."
Dressing room fallout and decision for love
Mourinho was coming off the back of a turbulent season at Real Madrid, in which he and various members of the squad had fallen out. Sami Khedira, former Real Madrid midfielder and now Mourinho's assistant, described the dressing room as a "nightmare" to be a part of. That difficult end to his tenure in Madrid, where he has now returned, played a key part in his decision to return to Chelsea rather than take over at Manchester United.
Mourinho said: "I was of course very flattered because Man United has an incredible appeal. When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close. But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club. I think this is more powerful than love for football, and fundamentally after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved."
Mourinho added: "For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic. But I don’t regret because it was a decision I made with my heart. I think it is [Friedrich] Nietzsche (the philosopher) who said something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I did it for love."
Managerial record at Chelsea and Manchester United
Mourinho ended up spending two years back at Chelsea, winning a third Premier League title of his career and a League Cup. Meanwhile, Ferguson's successor Moyes lasted just nine months in the job, and Manchester United have yet to win another Premier League title since Ferguson left Old Trafford.
Mourinho eventually took charge at Manchester United in 2016, winning the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League in his first season before leading them to a second-place Premier League finish in 2017-18. However, his tenure unravelled during his third season with poor results and a fallout with several prominent players, including £89 million Paul Pogba, leading to his sacking in December of his third season.
