Jose Mourinho refused a huge offer: "He cried on the phone"
In a documentary about the coach, it was revealed that in 2013 he had already signed with Manchester United to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, but decided to keep his word to Chelsea and return to London. Ferguson admitted he was disappointed: "He said he couldn't take the offer."
Moments before he officially opens his second tenure at Real Madrid, a documentary film about Jose Mourinho will be released this week on Netflix. Many stories from the coach's long career will be revealed there, including the time he refused to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of Manchester United.
In a clip released from the film, Mourinho explains that he had already signed the contract at Old Trafford in 2013, but ultimately returned to his former club Chelsea because he had already given them his word. According to him, he could not break his commitment to the London club.
"I moved to Chelsea in 2013, but during that period there is something that no one knows," said Mourinho. "When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to arrive there after Sir Alex."
Mourinho said that the opportunity to lead Manchester United was significant for him. "Of course I was very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible pulling power," he said. "When I say that Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I must say that Manchester United is very close."
Ferguson also participated in the documentary and said that at first he was convinced that Mourinho was indeed going to accept the offer. According to him, within a few hours a dramatic change occurred in the Portuguese coach's position.
"He called me and he was crying," Ferguson recounted, "and he said: 'Alex, I can't do it - I gave my word to Chelsea, and I'm not going to break my word'."
Ferguson added that although he understood the reason for Mourinho's decision, he was disappointed by it. At that time, the Portuguese coach had a strong connection with Chelsea, after leading it in his first years at the club to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.
Despite the missed opportunity to replace Ferguson, Mourinho said he does not regret the choice: "For me, losing the opportunity to be the coach who would replace Sir Alex Ferguson was a dramatic thing, but I don't regret it, because it was a decision I made with my heart."
According to him, the return to Chelsea was also accompanied by a sense of great responsibility: "I returned with the feeling of 'yes, I'm coming home', but with great responsibility, because what I did before is history, and you don't want to destroy your legacy."
Ferguson, who led Manchester United to win his 13th Premier League title, announced his retirement then after more than 26 years in the position. Since his departure, United has not managed to return to the top of football in England, as David Moyes, who was chosen to replace him, was fired after only ten months on the job.
