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Current Real Madrid boss José Mourinho has disclosed that he was set to become Sir Alex Ferguson's direct replacement at Manchester United in 2013, before withdrawing from the agreement to head back to Chelsea instead.
Ferguson stepped down from his position as United manager following a storied 26-year tenure, during which he claimed 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League trophies, among numerous other accolades.
David Moyes was ultimately appointed as the next man at the Old Trafford helm, having been personally selected by Ferguson. This led to Moyes being labeled "The Chosen One"—a nickname that would later haunt the former Everton manager, who was dismissed after less than a complete season as he struggled to match the achievements of the Ferguson era.
The decision to appoint Moyes as his successor came to be regarded as a serious error by Ferguson and the Manchester United board, who had seemingly allowed the departing manager to handpick his own replacement. However, Mourinho has now dropped a bombshell, offering a different, previously untold account of who Ferguson's original first choice actually was.
"When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex," he said on the new Netflix series Mourinho about his life and career.
This account of events is corroborated by Ferguson himself, who also features as a contributor in the docuseries.
"I sat him [Mourinho] down and explained the situation," the 84-year-old recalls. "As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed."
Why Did Mourinho Turn Down Manchester United?
It could have all been so different. José Mourinho says he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson when he left Manchester United in 2013.
Watch all three episodes of MOURINHO on Netflix from tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/gLtnLT0GoL
Mourinho then reveals that he reversed his decision to accept the United role, opting instead to return to Chelsea, where he had previously claimed two Premier League titles earlier in his managerial career.
Ferguson adds: "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.'
"The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed."
Mourinho explained that his deep connection to Chelsea drew him back to London following a turbulent spell as Real Madrid manager, where his final 2012–13 campaign ended without silverware amid a string of off-field disputes with players, club officials and the press.
"One thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club," Mourinho reasoned as he explained his decision to choose Chelsea over United.
"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."
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There is a strong suggestion that had his time at Madrid concluded on better terms, Manchester United's troubled post-Ferguson transition could have looked considerably different.
Mourinho did eventually make his way to United, taking the reins at the English club between 2016 and 2018. His stint in Manchester proved to be a mixed experience overall. While the Portuguese tactician secured the League Cup and Europa League in 2016–17, he fell short of restoring the club to its former glory—though that criticism can equally be leveled at every one of Ferguson's successors to date. He also had well-publicized clashes with several prominent United players, including Paul Pogba.
Thirteen years after departing the Bernabéu, Mourinho returned to Real Madrid this summer, having been reappointed as manager by club president Florentino Pérez.