Mourinho reveals the heart-led choice that changed Manchester United’s 2013 succession plan

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he had agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013, before reversing his decision at the last moment and returning to Chelsea.

The Portuguese manager made the admission in a new Netflix documentary about his career. Mourinho, 63, is preparing for a new experience with Real Madrid after returning to the Spanish club for a second spell.

Mourinho gave his clearest account yet of the negotiations with Manchester United following Ferguson’s decision to end his 26-year managerial reign in 2013.

“When I left Real Madrid, I signed a contract to move to Manchester United after Sir Alex,” Mourinho said in comments reported by BBC Sport.

Ferguson later confirmed Mourinho’s account, saying the former Chelsea manager had been the leading candidate to take over at Old Trafford.

“He was offered the job, yes. I sat with him and explained the situation, and from my point of view he had already agreed, but within a matter of hours everything changed,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson retired after guiding Manchester United for 26 years, during which he won 13 Premier League titles as well as numerous domestic and European honours.

According to Ferguson, Mourinho changed his mind because he wanted to return to Chelsea, the club he had previously led to successive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

“One night he called me and he was crying and said: Alex, I can’t do it. I’ve given my word to Chelsea and I’m not going to break my promise. I understood the reason he gave me, but I was disappointed,” Ferguson said.

Mourinho’s decision became one of the most dramatic developments in the managerial market that summer. He had appeared set to move to Old Trafford, only to choose a return to the London club instead.

The Portuguese said being considered for the Manchester United job had been a source of immense pride, but that his personal connection with Chelsea made the decision especially difficult.

“I felt very proud to be offered the job to replace Sir Alex because Manchester United has an enormous appeal. But loving football is one thing, and loving a particular club is another. I think that feeling is stronger than loving football. Deep down, after my experience at Real Madrid, I needed to feel loved,” Mourinho said.

He also acknowledged that missing out on the chance to succeed Ferguson had been painful, although he insisted he did not regret his choice.

“It was extremely painful to lose the opportunity to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as manager, but I do not regret it because it was a decision that came from my heart,” Mourinho said.

Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and guided the club to a third Premier League title, as well as victory in the League Cup.

His association with Manchester United did not end there. Three years later, the club gave him another opportunity to take charge, appointing him in May 2016 as Louis van Gaal’s successor.

Mourinho’s long-awaited spell at Old Trafford lasted about two and a half years. He won the League Cup and the Europa League with Manchester United, but was dismissed in December 2018 after a decline in results and mounting pressure around the team.