According to ESPN, Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho revealed an untold story in a Netflix documentary. He had formally signed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager back in 2013, yet tearfully turned down the contract out of his affection for Chelsea.
The football world was shocked when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement after guiding Manchester United to an unprecedented 13th Premier‑League title. United have never returned to the heights of the Ferguson era, and his successor David Moyes was sacked after only ten months in charge. Mourinho would officially take over Manchester United in 2016 and managed the club for two‑and‑a‑half seasons. However, he reveals in the documentary that he had agreed to take the position much earlier.
Mourinho stated in the documentary: “I went to Chelsea in 2013, but there is something nobody knew during that period. I think I can talk about it now — because I will not hurt anyone with the truth, and the whole point of this is to tell the truth. When I left Real Madrid, I signed a contract to take Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson. Of course I felt extremely honoured, because Manchester United holds incredible appeal. When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say Manchester United comes very, very close. But there is love for football on one side, and affection for a specific club on the other. I believe that affection is stronger than love for football. Fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel loved.”
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed this account in his documentary interview. The Manchester United legend admitted he believed Mourinho had accepted the role, yet the situation underwent a dramatic shift within a matter of hours.
Ferguson recalled: “Late in the evening, he phoned me and he was crying. He said, ‘Alex, I cannot accept it — I have given my word to Chelsea, and I will not break my promise.’ I could understand his reasoning, but I was genuinely disappointed.”
José Mourinho shares deep emotional ties with Chelsea. During his first managerial spell from 2004 to 2007, he delivered two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cup trophies for the Blues. Following his Real Madrid departure, he overcame previous disagreements with owner Roman Abramovich to return to Stamford Bridge, winning another Premier League title plus one League Cup before being dismissed in December 2015.
Mourinho confessed: “Missing the chance to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager hurt deeply, yet I have no regrets, because it was a decision I made with my heart. I believe our nature tells us you can never go wrong when you act out of love. That is what I did, driven by love. I went back feeling like yes, I was coming home, yet also carrying huge responsibility, because what I had achieved at Chelsea was already history, and you do not want to ruin your own legacy.”
Mourinho is now back in charge at Real Madrid. His La Liga debut of the new season will take place on August 22 away against Espanyol, as he leads the side to bounce back from a trophyless campaign last term.
