Jose Mourinho has confirmed he agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, before changing his mind and re-joining Chelsea instead. The 63-year-old, now back at Real Madrid for a second spell, revealed the details in a new Netflix documentary series about his career.
‘When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex,’ Mourinho said. Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles over 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013, confirmed the offer had been made.
Ferguson describes late change of heart
Ferguson said he sat Mourinho down and explained the situation, believing the Portuguese coach was accepting the role. He said that within hours, the situation changed.
According to Ferguson, Mourinho phoned him in tears, saying he could not take the job because he had given his word to Chelsea. Ferguson said he understood the reason but was disappointed by the decision.
Mourinho said he was very flattered to be offered the chance to replace Ferguson, describing Manchester United’s appeal as incredible. He explained that love for a certain club can be more powerful than love for football in general, and that after leaving Real Madrid he needed to feel loved.
He said losing the chance to succeed Ferguson was dramatic but insisted he does not regret the decision, as it was made with his heart.
Return to Chelsea and later spell at United
After returning to Stamford Bridge in 2013, Mourinho went on to win his third Premier League title as well as the League Cup. In May 2016, he got a second chance to take charge at United, succeeding Louis van Gaal.
Over a two-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford, Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League before being sacked in December 2018 following a slump in results. He returned to Real Madrid in May this year, another of his former clubs, after his previous spell there ended in acrimony amid a fall-out with club captain Iker Casillas and other players.
Mourinho also discussed difficulties he faced with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who hired him twice and sacked him both times, in 2007 and 2015. He said Abramovich pushed for the signing of Andriy Shevchenko, describing the Russian as having incredible passion for football but knowing nothing about the situation.
Mourinho said Shevchenko was on the table because of connections with the boss and agents, adding that he never wanted to sign the striker but never said no, so accepted responsibility. He said the player he had wanted instead was Samuel Eto’o.
Recalling facing Chelsea with Inter Milan in the Champions League last 16 in February 2010 after his 2007 sacking, Mourinho said he was effectively playing against Abramovich that night. He said he needed revenge because he believes football belongs to people like him rather than club owners.
