In a new Netflix documentary, José Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed long-standing rumors: The Portuguese turned down the Manchester United bench in 2013 because he had already given his word to Chelsea.
The long-standing football mystery has finally been officially confirmed. In 2013, after leaving Real Madrid, José Mourinho had a deal to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but he backed out at the last moment. Both main figures have now told this story without holding back in a Netflix documentary about Mourinho's career, set to be released on August 11. The documentary arrives ahead of a new chapter in the 'Special One's' career at the helm of Real Madrid, and some scenes have already started leaking to the public.
In 2013, Ferguson was wrapping up his historic era at Old Trafford, during which he won 13 league titles in 26 years, while Mourinho was simultaneously leaving Real Madrid. The plan was clear: the charismatic Portuguese was to be the man to continue Ferguson's legacy. "When I left Real Madrid, I had agreed to go to Manchester United and replace Sir Alex. I had already signed a contract with Manchester United as Sir Alex's successor," Mourinho revealed in the documentary.
That the job was indeed his was also confirmed by the legendary Scot. "Yes, the job was offered to him. I sat down with him and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he accepted the offer and was to succeed me. At that time, he accepted, and a few hours later, he changed his mind," Ferguson recounted. However, what followed was completely unexpected. The turnaround happened because Mourinho, as he puts it, couldn't turn down a return to Chelsea, the club with which he had won back-to-back English league titles in 2005 and 2006. "One night, he called me and was crying. He said, 'Alex, I can't. I've given my word to Chelsea, and I can't break it.' I can understand the reason he gave, but he disappointed me," Ferguson recalled the emotional moment.
Mourinho didn't hide how difficult it was to turn down the chance to directly succeed one of the greatest managers in football history. "For me, losing the opportunity to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic. But I have no regrets because I made the decision from the heart," he said. The Portuguese explained that love for a particular club is stronger than love for football, and that after Real Madrid, he simply needed to feel loved. Instead of going to Old Trafford, he returned to Chelsea, where during his second spell he won the Premier League and the League Cup, bringing his total to three English league titles.
By a twist of fate, Mourinho did eventually become Manchester United manager, but only three years later, in May 2016, when he succeeded Louis van Gaal. His tenure, however, didn't last long. He was sacked in December 2018 due to poor results. Despite that, he won the Europa League, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield with United, making him the club's most successful manager in the post-Ferguson era.
