In a stunning football revelation that will shock Blues fans worldwide, Jose Mourinho has disclosed he was just hours away from a dramatic Chelsea return to mastermind their 2013 Europa League final against Benfica.
The Phone Call That Nearly Changed Everything
The legendary Portuguese manager, then in charge of Real Madrid, received an extraordinary approach from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich shortly before the European showdown in Amsterdam. "The final was on a Wednesday, and I got a call from Abramovich on the Monday," Mourinho revealed during his emotional live show in Portugal.
"He asked me if I could travel to London to watch the final at Stamford Bridge. But I knew what he really wanted - he wanted me to take charge of the team."
Madrid Loyalty vs Chelsea Passion
Despite the emotional pull of returning to the club where he'd achieved legendary status, Mourinho's professional integrity prevented him from making the shocking switch. "I couldn't do it," he confessed. "I was still the Real Madrid manager, and my loyalty had to remain with them until the season ended."
The timing was particularly poignant as Rafa Benitez, never a favourite among Chelsea supporters, was in temporary charge following Roberto Di Matteo's dismissal earlier that season.
The Dramatic Final That Followed
With Mourinho watching from afar, Chelsea went on to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Benfica, with Branislav Ivanovic heading home a stoppage-time winner to secure yet another European trophy for the London club.
This victory completed an incredible European trophy haul for Chelsea, having won the Champions League just twelve months earlier in that unforgettable night in Munich.
What Might Have Been
The revelation raises fascinating questions about how different football history might have been. Would Mourinho's return have happened sooner? How would his second spell at Stamford Bridge have unfolded differently?
Ultimately, the Special One did return to Chelsea that summer, embarking on a second spell that would deliver another Premier League title in 2015 before his eventual departure the following season.
This incredible behind-the-scenes insight shows just how close football came to witnessing one of the most dramatic managerial switches in the sport's history.
