Jose Mourinho has revealed he was offered the Manchester United job in 2013 before changing his mind and re-joining Chelsea, after years of speculation.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex,” the 63-year-old coach – now back at Real for a second spell – said in a new Netflix documentary series about his career.
The Secret Contract
“He was offered the job, yes,” confirmed Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles over 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013.
“I sat him down and explained the situation,” he added: “As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed.”
The difference was that Mourinho thought he couldn’t refuse to go back to Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles in a row in 2005 and 2006 as reported by BBC Sport.
Sir Alex Ferguson Recalls Sudden U-Turn
“One night, he phoned me and he was crying 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’,” said the former United boss.
“The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed.”
Mourinho said he was “very flattered” to be asked to replace Ferguson as Manchester United had “an incredible appeal”.
“But one thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club,” he explained.
“I think this is more powerful than love for football and fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.
“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don’t regret (it) because it was a decision that I made with my heart.”
Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013 and went on to win his third Premier League title and the League Cup.
He was handed a second stint in charge at United in May 2016, when he took over from Louis van Gaal.
Mourinho was at Old Trafford for two-and-a-half years and won the League Cup and Europa League before being sacked in December 2018 after a dip in form.
