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Mourinho reveals he turned down Man United job in 2013 for Chelsea return

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Jose Mourinho revealed he agreed to manage Manchester United in 2013 but changed his mind to return to Chelsea.
  • Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Mourinho had accepted the role but withdrew within hours.
  • Mourinho cited his emotional connection to Chelsea as the reason for his decision, though he later managed Manchester United from 2016 to 2018.

Jose Mourinho has disclosed that he agreed to take the helm at Manchester United in 2013, succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, but ultimately opted to return to Chelsea instead. The revelation comes from a new Netflix documentary series about his career.

When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.

— Jose MourinhoRecounting his decision-making process in 2013.

Mourinho explained that after leaving Real Madrid, he had accepted the offer from Manchester United. However, he felt compelled to follow his heart back to Stamford Bridge, where he had previously achieved significant success. "One night, he phoned me and he was crying 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’," Ferguson recalled.

Ferguson confirmed that Mourinho had initially accepted the position. "I sat him down and explained the situation,” Ferguson said. “As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed.” Ferguson expressed disappointment but understood Mourinho's reasoning. "The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed."

I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed.

— Sir Alex FergusonDescribing Mourinho's initial acceptance and subsequent withdrawal.

Mourinho stated he was deeply flattered by the prospect of succeeding Ferguson at Old Trafford due to Manchester United's immense stature. "But one thing is love for football, another thing is love for a certain club,” he said. “I think this is more powerful than love for football and fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.” He acknowledged that missing the chance to manage Manchester United was dramatic but expressed no regret, calling it a decision made "with my heart."

One night, he phoned me and he was crying 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’.

— Sir Alex FergusonRecalling Mourinho's emotional phone call explaining his change of heart.

Following his return to Chelsea in 2013, Mourinho secured his third Premier League title. He eventually managed Manchester United from 2016 to 2018, winning the League Cup and Europa League during his tenure before his dismissal. This account adds a new layer to the narrative of Manchester United's post-Ferguson era.

The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed.

— Sir Alex FergusonExpressing his understanding and disappointment regarding Mourinho's decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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