After years of speculation, Jose Mourinho has revealed that he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United before changing his mind and returning to Chelsea.
Ferguson retired in 2013 after 26 years at Old Trafford and recommended Everton manager David Moyes as his successor. Moyes was later labelled ‘The Chosen One’, with the name appearing on a banner at the Stretford End.
In a new Netflix documentary about his career, Mourinho said: “When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.”
Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles with United, confirmed Mourinho was “offered the job”.
“I sat him down and explained the situation,” Ferguson said. “As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed.”
Mourinho then chose Chelsea, where he had won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
Ferguson recalled: “One night, he phoned me and he was crying. He said: ‘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 said he was “very flattered” by the United offer but felt he needed to return somewhere he felt 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.”
Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013, winning another Premier League title and the League Cup. Moyes was sacked after 10 months.
Mourinho later took over United in 2016, winning the League Cup and Europa League before being sacked in December 2018.
