Jose Mourinho says he had signed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, after leaving Real Madrid. He says the move fell apart because he backed out and returned to Chelsea, and Ferguson later said he was disappointed by the decision.
The signed deal and the U-turn
The clearest version comes from Mourinho himself: “When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.” He also said United’s appeal was obvious, calling the club “very, very close” to Real Madrid in size and standing.
Mourinho’s explanation for the change of heart was emotional rather than footballing. “But one thing is love for football, and 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.”
That is the core of the story. He later admitted, “For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart.”
Ferguson’s reaction and the road United took
Ferguson’s account gives the episode its sting. He said Mourinho phoned him in the early evening, crying, and told him: “I've given my word to Chelsea, and I'm not going to break my word.” Ferguson added, “The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed.”
The timing matters because Ferguson had retired after winning a 13th Premier League title with Manchester United. United then appointed David Moyes after Ferguson stepped down, and the club has not returned to the top of the English game since.
The comparison with what followed is not subtle. United finished 3rd in the 2025 Premier League season with 71 points, and they are listed 16th in the current 2026 table snapshot. Chelsea finished 10th in the 2025 Premier League season.
Mourinho eventually did take charge at United in 2016, but the revelation is about the road not taken. He had already signed, changed his mind, and gone back to Chelsea, where he later won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in his first spell.
What lingers is not nostalgia, it is the fact that the biggest post-Ferguson alternative was sitting there before Moyes ever walked through the door. Mourinho says he had signed, Ferguson says he was disappointed, and United’s next chapter still turned out very differently.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
