Jose Mourinho has revealed a remarkable piece of Manchester United history, admitting he had already signed an agreement to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013.
The Portuguese manager made the revelation in his new Netflix documentary, explaining that a move to Manchester United was agreed after his departure from Real Madrid.
But despite having committed to Ferguson’s succession, Mourinho ultimately changed course.
Chelsea came calling, and the Portuguese decided to honour his word to the London club.
It meant Manchester United’s post-Ferguson era took a very different direction.
“I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period there is something nobody knows,” Mourinho said.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.
“I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.
“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.”
Ferguson’s own account adds another layer to the revelation.
The legendary Manchester United manager, who also features in Mourinho’s documentary, confirmed that Mourinho had told him he would take over at Old Trafford.
However, the situation changed after the Portuguese manager made a crucial phone call.
According to Ferguson, Mourinho informed him that he had committed himself to Chelsea and could not go back on his word.
“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” Ferguson said.“And he says, ‘Alex, I can’t take it – I’ve given my word to Chelsea, and I’m not going to break my word.’
“The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”
It was a decision that would ultimately reshape the next chapter of Manchester United’s history.
Mourinho returned to Chelsea for a second spell in 2013, while Ferguson brought his extraordinary Manchester United career to an end after the season.
The Scot retired having delivered another Premier League title, leaving the club searching for a successor capable of filling arguably the biggest managerial role in English football.
That responsibility eventually went to David Moyes.
Moyes was appointed as Ferguson’s successor, but his spell at Old Trafford lasted less than a full season before he was dismissed.
United then moved through a succession of managers before Mourinho eventually got his opportunity.
Three years after the original agreement fell apart, Mourinho finally became Manchester United manager.
He was appointed in 2016 after the departure of Louis van Gaal, finally taking charge of the club he had once been lined up to inherit from Ferguson.
His time in Manchester produced three trophies.Mourinho won the Europa League, Carabao Cup and Community Shield during his two-and-a-half-year spell.
However, his reign eventually ended in December 2018 following a difficult period of results and performances.
Despite that, Mourinho remains one of the most decorated managers to have occupied the Old Trafford dugout in the post-Ferguson era.
Mourinho’s revelation raises an intriguing question about what might have happened had he kept his original agreement.
Instead of Moyes taking over from Ferguson in 2013, United could have begun their post-Ferguson era under one of the most successful managers of the modern game.
Mourinho ultimately had to wait three years for his Old Trafford opportunity. By then, the club had already gone through major changes.
The revelation also highlights just how close United came to appointing Mourinho immediately after Ferguson — and how one decision to honour his commitment to Chelsea changed the course of both clubs.
For United fans, it is another fascinating “what if” from a pivotal moment in the club’s history.
Mourinho eventually got his Manchester United chapter. But, as his new documentary reveals, it could have started much earlier.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
