Jose Mourinho has revealed why he did not replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, despite initially signing a deal to take over the job in 2013.
When the Scot announced his retirement before the end of the 2012/13, Mourinho was one of the favourites to take charge of the Red Devils.
It was David Moyes, however, who succeeded Ferguson in the hot seat. He was sacked just 10 months into the job, while Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge for his second stint at Chelsea.
United have struggled to compete for the biggest trophies in the years since Ferguson’s departure, even when they eventually turned to Mourinho to take the job in 2016. He guided the club to glory in the League Cup and UEFA Europa League in his first season in charge, but could not deliver Premier League or Champions League success in his two-and-a-half years in the job.
Jose Mourinho reveals why he didn’t replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd in 2013
In a new Netflix documentary about his life and career, Mourinho admitted that he had agreed to come to Old Trafford earlier, but reneged on the contract in order to return to Chelsea.
“I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” the Portuguese tactician said in ‘Mourinho’.
“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.”
Mourinho continued: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.
“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.
“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.
“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”
Ferguson confirmed that a tearful Mourinho had accepted the offer to come to United, only for him to change his mind hours later.
“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” he said in the documentary. “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.”
At the time it was reported that the late Sir Bobby Charlton influenced United’s decision not to hire Mourinho in 2013 after he previously said that he would not suit the club.
