José Mourinho has disclosed that he had already agreed to become Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United in 2013, before changing his mind at the last moment and returning to Chelsea instead, a decision that reportedly left him in tears as he broke the news to Ferguson.
The revelation comes from a new Netflix documentary titled Mourinho, which chronicles the veteran manager's career and personal life. Ferguson's decision to step down in 2013, after clinching a 13th Premier League title, sent shockwaves through English football. His immediate successor, David Moyes, lasted only ten months before being dismissed, and United have not reclaimed the Premier League summit since Ferguson's departure. Mourinho eventually took charge of the club in 2016, remaining for two and a half years, but the documentary reveals that his path to Old Trafford could have begun three years earlier.
In the documentary, Mourinho explained that after leaving Real Madrid, he had put pen to paper on a contract to take over from Ferguson. "When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex," he said. He described feeling deeply honored by the offer, acknowledging the stature of the English club. "I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester 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."
However, Mourinho ultimately chose loyalty to Chelsea over the United opportunity, framing his decision as one rooted in emotion rather than career strategy. "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," he said.
Ferguson, who was also interviewed for the documentary, recalled being informed of Mourinho's reversal in a phone call marked by visible emotion. "Early evening he phoned me and he was crying," Ferguson said. "And he says: 'Alex, 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 could understand, but I was disappointed."
Mourinho's connection to Chelsea ran deep, having delivered two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups during his first tenure at Stamford Bridge. Despite past friction with owner Roman Abramovich, he set aside those issues to rejoin the club after his exit from Real Madrid, going on to add another league title and a League Cup before his dismissal in December 2015.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity to succeed one of the sport's most decorated managers, Mourinho expressed no regret over his choice. "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 that I made with my heart," he said, now back at the helm of Real Madrid. "And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it's nature. I did it for love."
He added that returning to Chelsea carried its own weight of expectation. "I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don't want to destroy your legacy."
Based on reporting from The Guardian.