José Mourinho initially agreed to succeed sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, then tearfully declined | OneFootball

In 2013, José Mourinho appeared to accept sir Alex Ferguson’s offer to succeed him at Manchester United, then withdrew within hours, citing a promise to Chelsea.

According to the BBC, which has published an excerpt from Netflix documentary MOURINHO, released on Tuesday 11 August, Ferguson believed Mourinho was on board before receiving a tearful call in which the Portuguese said he would keep his word to Chelsea.

Ferguson, United manager since 1986, was nearing the end of his contract that year and seeking a successor. He said he understood the reasoning but was disappointed.

At the time, Mourinho had won three trophies with Real Madrid, the Copa del Rey in 2011, then La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012. He later said that, after Madrid, he needed to feel loved, and he has returned to the same Spanish dugout this summer.

Mourinho added that replacing the Old Trafford legend would have been flattering, yet his bond with Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, prevailed. Passing up the chance was dramatic but he did not regret it, calling it a decision from the heart.

He rejoined Chelsea in 2013, winning the League Cup and a third Premier League title, then took the Manchester United job in 2016.

Source: L'Équipe

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