José Mourinho says he signed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 but returned to Chelsea
José Mourinho has revealed in the Netflix documentary Mourinho that he signed a contract in 2013 to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager but tore up the deal and went back to Chelsea, a decision Ferguson also recounts in the film.
The disclosure comes against the backdrop of Ferguson’s retirement after overseeing Manchester United’s 13th Premier League title; United have not reclaimed the English top spot since he stepped down, and his immediate successor, David Moyes, was sacked after 10 months. Mourinho later took charge of United from 2016 for two and a half years, but the documentary reveals he had agreed to join the club earlier, in 2013.
Discussing that period in the film, Mourinho said: “I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows,” and added: “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.”
He described his reaction to United’s offer and his feelings about club allegiance, saying: “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.” He continued: “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.”
Sir Alex Ferguson appears in the documentary and recounts Mourinho’s change of mind: “Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” Ferguson said. “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.”
The film also covers Mourinho’s relationship with Chelsea, noting his successful first spell where he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups, and his return to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid, when he won another league title and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015. Mourinho said of turning down United’s offer: “For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don’t regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart.”
Reflecting on his motives and legacy, Mourinho added: “And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it’s nature. I did it for love.” He concluded by describing his mindset on returning to Chelsea: “I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don’t want to destroy your legacy.”