Mourinho Reveals He Agrees to Replace Ferguson at Man Utd
August 10, 2026 · PerúItalia
Jose Mourinho revealed in a documentary that he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, but ultimately chose to return to Chelsea.
Mourinho reveals he agrees to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
According to Sports.
Background
Jose Mourinho, who is now 63 years old, is known as a successful coach at various clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid. The decision not to take over at Manchester United shows how important an emotional connection to the club is for a coach. In this context, Mourinho is not only considering his career, but also his personal values and commitment to Chelsea.
Why this is important
Jose Mourinho's admission of a bid to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United highlights how close he is to one of the world's biggest clubs. Mourinho's decision to return to Chelsea, where he has achieved great success, shows how strong his emotional ties to the club are. It also reflects the complex dynamics in the world of football, where loyalty and ambition often collide.
Main Points
- Mourinho reveals he agrees to replace Ferguson at Man Utd.
- Jose Mourinho revealed in a documentary that he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, but ultimately chose to return to Chelsea.
- Mourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd - Yahoo Sports.
After years of speculation, Jose Mourinho confirmed that he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United coach in 2013. However, those plans changed when he decided to return to Chelsea. In a documentary broadcast on Netflix, Mourinho, who is now back coaching Real Madrid, explained, "When I left Real Madrid, I had signed a contract to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex."
Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles during his 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013, also confirmed this. He said, "I called him and explained the situation. From my point of view, he accepted the offer. And then, within a few hours, everything changed."
The change came about because Mourinho felt he couldn't turn down the opportunity to return to Chelsea, the club where he achieved success by winning back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006. Ferguson recalled, "One night, he called me and was crying, and he said, 'Alex, I can't take it. I've given Chelsea my word and I'm not going to break my word.'"
Mourinho, now 63, said he felt "very honored" to be offered the job as Ferguson's replacement. "But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a particular club," he said. "I think this is stronger than the love for football and basically, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel loved. For me, losing the opportunity to be the coach who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret [it] because it was a decision I made with my heart."
After returning to Stamford Bridge in 2013, Mourinho won his third Premier League title as well as the League Cup. In May 2016, he got a second chance to coach Manchester United, replacing Louis van Gaal. During his two and a half years at Old Trafford, Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League before being fired in December 2018 due to a decline in the team's performance.
Mourinho recently returned to one of his old clubs, Real Madrid, and his appointment was announced in June this year. His previous spell at Real Madrid ended in disputes with club captain Iker Casillas and a number of other players. Ahead of the reunion, Mourinho and former Spanish goalkeeper Casillas spoke openly about the causes of their differences.
Mourinho also discussed the difficulties he faced with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who hired him twice and fired him twice. Mourinho was sacked by Abramovich at Chelsea in 2007 and 2015. The veteran coach stated that his former boss increasingly interfered during his first spell, including pushing to sign Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian striker joined Chelsea in May 2006 for a club-record fee of around £30 million, but scored just nine league goals in 48 games during three years in West London.
"Abramovich - had an incredible passion for football, but was unaware of the situation," Mourinho said in the new documentary. "Shevchenko was on the table because of connections with the boss, connections with agents and I never wanted to sign him, but I also never told anyone, so this is also my responsibility. You want to know the player I want? Samuel Eto'o."
After being sacked by the Russian oligarch in September 2007, Mourinho got his chance for revenge when he returned to Stamford Bridge in March 2010 with Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Italian side beat Chelsea 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, where they eventually picked up the trophy.
"To be honest, I played against Roman in that match," said Mourinho. "I played against someone who fired me. I went home happy and he went home disappointed. Because I know how much he loves Chelsea, I know how much he loves winning. But I need revenge, because football belongs to people like me. Others are intruders who have no place. Football will always belong to us, the players, coaches and fans."
What happened next
With Mourinho now back in charge of Real Madrid, fans will be paying attention to how his experience and coaching strategy will influence the team's performance. Meanwhile, Manchester United continues to look for a coach who can restore the club's glory after the Ferguson era. Mourinho's decision in 2013 will probably continue to be a topic of discussion among football fans and analysts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mourinho reveal about replacing Ferguson at Man Utd?
Mourinho confirmed he had agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United coach in 2013.
Who confirmed Mourinho's plans to join Man Utd?
Sir Alex Ferguson also confirmed that Mourinho accepted the offer to replace him.
Why didn't Mourinho coach Manchester United?
Mourinho decided to return to Chelsea because he felt he could not refuse the opportunity.
What changes have occurred in Mourinho's plans?
Mourinho's plans to coach Manchester United changed within hours of receiving an offer from Chelsea.
How does Mourinho feel about the offer to become Man Utd coach?
Mourinho felt very honored to be offered the job as Ferguson's replacement, but he also revealed that the love for a particular club is stronger than the love for football.