A new book by Spanish journalist Diego Torres alleges that José Mourinho broke down in tears upon learning that David Moyes, rather than he, had been chosen to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager. The claims, published in Torres' book 'Prepare to Lose: the Mourinho Era', have been denied by Mourinho's adviser.
According to the book, the appointment of Moyes 'provoked an earthquake' for Mourinho, who felt betrayed by Ferguson, his supposed ally and friend. Mourinho, then Real Madrid coach, was convinced his trophy haul made him the obvious candidate. When he heard that Ferguson had recommended Moyes, he was struck by 'terrible disbelief'.
Torres writes that Mourinho spent a sleepless night in a Madrid hotel, sobbing on the phone to his agency Gestifute. 'The most feared man in the company was crushed,' the book states. Mourinho expected a call from Ferguson but none came, and he recalled comments from Sir Bobby Charlton questioning his suitability for the role.
The book also details how Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, had been told in 2012 that Ferguson's first choice was Pep Guardiola. A United executive reportedly said the problem was that 'when things don't work for Mou, he doesn't do club politics. He does José politics.'
Mourinho's adviser Eladio Parames dismissed the account as 'completely false' and 'without any sense'. Mourinho later took the Chelsea job, claiming he had known of Ferguson's retirement plans and would have turned down any other club, including United, for Chelsea.
