Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Jose Mourinho was in tears during a phone call after deciding not to replace him as Manchester United manager. The Portuguese coach had initially agreed to take over at Old Trafford when Ferguson retired in 2013, but made a sudden U-turn.
At the time, Mourinho was leaving Real Madrid after a difficult third season. Five years after departing Chelsea for the first time, he was back on the market just as Ferguson was ending his 27-year tenure at United.
Ferguson's account
Speaking in the new Netflix documentary 'Mourinho', which airs on Tuesday (August 11), Ferguson recalled the emotional conversation. "He was offered the job, yes," said the former United boss. "I sat him down and explained the situation and, as far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, had changed."
Mourinho had long been tipped as a potential successor, but after feeling betrayed by certain players at Real and hounded out of the Bernabeu, he believed a return to Stamford Bridge was better for him.
Mourinho's explanation
"I was, of course, very flattered, because Man United has an incredible appeal," said Mourinho. "When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Man United is very, very close. But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club. I think this is more powerful than love for football. And fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel I am loved."
Despite previous disagreements with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho was convinced his immediate future lay back at Chelsea. Ferguson added: "Early evening, 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 gonna break my word'. The reason he gave to me, I could understand. But I was disappointed."
United's subsequent choices
United then hired David Moyes as Ferguson's successor, but his tenure lasted just 10 months. Louis van Gaal took over and won the FA Cup before Mourinho eventually arrived in 2016.
"For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was...dramatic," Mourinho continued. "But I don't regret [it], because it was a decision I made with my heart. I think it's [philosopher Friedrich] Nietzsche [who said] that when you do something for something you love, it is never wrong."
Mourinho rejoined Chelsea two weeks after leaving Real Madrid by mutual consent. He won the Premier League and EFL Cup double in 2015, but was sacked in December 2018 after a poor run.
He is now back at Real Madrid, 13 years after his acrimonious departure, and could face United in the Champions League, where Michael Carrick would be tasked with overcoming his old mentor.
