In a new Netflix documentary series, details have emerged regarding how Jose Mourinho came close to taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, only to pull out at the eleventh hour to re-join Chelsea.
BBC Sport reported on Monday that Ferguson had personally offered Mourinho the Old Trafford post upon his departure from Real Madrid. The former United manager recalled sitting Mourinho down to discuss the role, noting that the Portuguese coach initially appeared set to accept: “As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed.”
According to Ferguson, Mourinho phoned him in tears shortly afterwards, admitting he had given his word to return to Chelsea. Though disappointed, Ferguson acknowledged that he understood the reasoning behind the sudden U-turn.
Addressing the decision, Mourinho admitted that while missing out on succeeding Ferguson was “dramatic”, he felt compelled to follow his heart. Explaining his choice to return to Stamford Bridge, where he had previously secured two Premier League titles, he stated: “Fundamental, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.” He added that while replacing Ferguson was deeply flattering due to United’s stature, his bond with Chelsea ultimately proved stronger.
Mourinho subsequently led Chelsea to a third Premier League title and a League Cup before eventually securing the Manchester United manager’s job in 2016, following the dismissal of Louis van Gaal. His eventual two-and-a-half-year stint at Old Trafford yielded the League Cup and the Europa League, ending with his sacking in December 2018.
This latest revelation sheds fresh light on Ferguson’s succession plan, prompting further debate over how Manchester United’s recent history might have differed had Mourinho taken the reins three years earlier.