Mourinho Reveals Why He Rejected Man United Job In 2013
Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has revealed that he initially agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 before changing his mind and returning to Chelsea.
Mourinho made the revelation in a new Netflix documentary chronicling his managerial career, explaining that he had agreed to take charge at Old Trafford after leaving Real Madrid.
According to the Portuguese coach, Manchester United’s appeal was immense, particularly because the opportunity involved succeeding Ferguson, who had just retired after a hugely successful 26-year reign at the club.
However, Mourinho eventually chose to honour his commitment to Chelsea, where he had previously won two Premier League titles.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex,” Mourinho said, as reported by BBC Sport.
Ferguson also recalled how Mourinho initially appeared ready to take the job before unexpectedly changing his mind.
“I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed,” Ferguson said.
According to Ferguson, Mourinho later called him and explained that he had already given his word to Chelsea.
“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’,” Ferguson recalled.
Although disappointed, Ferguson said he understood Mourinho’s reasons.
Mourinho admitted that he was “very flattered” by the prospect of succeeding Ferguson but ultimately allowed his emotional connection with Chelsea to influence his decision.
“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,” he said.
Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and subsequently guided the club to another Premier League title and the League Cup.
Three years later, he finally became Manchester United manager, succeeding Louis van Gaal in 2016.
During his two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford, Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League before being dismissed in December 2018 following a poor run of results.
His latest revelation has reignited debate over how Manchester United’s post-Ferguson era might have unfolded if Mourinho had accepted the job in 2013.
Mourinho made the revelation in a new Netflix documentary chronicling his managerial career, explaining that he had agreed to take charge at Old Trafford after leaving Real Madrid.
According to the Portuguese coach, Manchester United’s appeal was immense, particularly because the opportunity involved succeeding Ferguson, who had just retired after a hugely successful 26-year reign at the club.
However, Mourinho eventually chose to honour his commitment to Chelsea, where he had previously won two Premier League titles.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex,” Mourinho said, as reported by BBC Sport.
Ferguson also recalled how Mourinho initially appeared ready to take the job before unexpectedly changing his mind.
“I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed,” Ferguson said.
According to Ferguson, Mourinho later called him and explained that he had already given his word to Chelsea.
“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’,” Ferguson recalled.
Although disappointed, Ferguson said he understood Mourinho’s reasons.
Mourinho admitted that he was “very flattered” by the prospect of succeeding Ferguson but ultimately allowed his emotional connection with Chelsea to influence his decision.
“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,” he said.
Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and subsequently guided the club to another Premier League title and the League Cup.
Three years later, he finally became Manchester United manager, succeeding Louis van Gaal in 2016.
During his two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford, Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League before being dismissed in December 2018 following a poor run of results.
His latest revelation has reignited debate over how Manchester United’s post-Ferguson era might have unfolded if Mourinho had accepted the job in 2013.
