José Mourinho revealed a little-known story that could have significantly altered the course of Manchester United after the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era.
Speaking in the new Netflix documentary series about his career, the Portuguese coach revealed that in 2013, when he left Real Madrid, he had agreed to take over at Manchester United and become the man who would succeed Ferguson on the bench of the “Red Devils.”
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However, things changed along the way. Mourinho ultimately decided to follow his heart and return to Chelsea, where he had already forged a particularly strong bond during his first tenure.
“When I left Real Madrid, I had signed to go to Manchester United to succeed Sir Alex. But loving soccer is one thing, and loving a specific club is another. I think the latter is stronger. “After Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I was loved,” he said.
He knew that with this choice he was leaving behind a huge professional opportunity, but he made it clear that he did not regret the decision he made.
“Missing out on the chance to be the coach who would succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was a huge blow for me. But I don’t regret it, because it was a decision I made with my heart.”
Sir Alex Ferguson also confirmed this story in the same documentary. The legendary Scottish manager believed that Mourinho had accepted United’s offer, until the Portuguese manager informed him that he had already given his word to Chelsea and could not back out.
So, while Mourinho may not have become Ferguson’s immediate successor in the summer of 2013, but he eventually took the helm at Manchester United three years later, replacing Louis van Gaal.
He remained at Old Trafford until December 2018, winning, among other titles, the 2017 Europa League. He then went on to coach Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahçe, and Benfica, before returning this summer to Real Madrid, 13 years after the end of his first tenure at the “Santiago Bernabéu.”
*photo source: AP
