MOURINHO REVEALS HE SIGNED MAN UNITED DEAL IN 2013 BEFORE JOINING CHELSEA
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he reached an agreement to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at the club in 2013 but later changed his decision and returned to Chelsea.
Mourinho made the revelation in his new Netflix documentary, explaining that the agreement was reached shortly after his departure from Real Madrid.
“I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period there is something nobody knows.
“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,” Mourinho said.
Ferguson, who retired at the end of the 2012/13 season, also appeared in the documentary and recalled Mourinho informing him that he would take over at Old Trafford before eventually changing his mind.
“Early evening he phoned me and he was crying,” Ferguson recalled.
“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,” Ferguson said.
Mourinho subsequently returned to Chelsea for a second spell in 2013, while Manchester United appointed David Moyes as Ferguson’s successor.
The Portuguese manager eventually took charge of United in 2016, replacing Louis van Gaal.
During his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford, Mourinho guided United to victories in the Europa League, Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
Mourinho said the initial agreement to succeed Ferguson had been reached with the former manager and the club’s hierarchy, but the plan ultimately fell through after Ferguson opted to recommend Moyes as his successor.
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