Mourinho reveals he signed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd before U-turn to Chelsea
In a new Netflix documentary, José Mourinho says he agreed a deal to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, only to change his mind and rejoin Chelsea instead of David Moyes.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 17 items across 4 sources · 1h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
José Mourinho has revealed in a Netflix documentary series about his career that he signed an agreement to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, before reversing his decision and returning to Chelsea. Ferguson corroborates the account, confirming he offered Mourinho the job as he explained his retirement plans. The revelation, 13 years after Moyes was ultimately named Ferguson's successor, has prompted widespread coverage and debate about how differently Manchester United's history might have unfolded.
- José Mourinho says in a new Netflix documentary that he signed a deal to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 after leaving Real Madrid.
- Mourinho later reversed the decision and rejoined Chelsea, leaving the Old Trafford job to go to David Moyes.
- Ferguson has corroborated the account, confirming he offered Mourinho the role and discussed the situation with him.
- The revelation, coming 13 years later, has sparked widespread coverage and 'what if' analysis about Manchester United's subsequent decline under different management.
How it unfolded
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Analysis Outlets debate the 'what if' scenario
The Telegraph, Goal.com, ESPN and The Independent publish analysis pieces asking whether Mourinho as Ferguson's direct successor would have changed Manchester United's trajectory compared with Moyes.
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Reaction Story spreads to social media and forums
The revelation circulates widely, including on r/soccer, where the BBC report and quotes are shared and discussed.
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Report BBC breaks the documentary revelation
BBC reports that Mourinho, now back at Real Madrid for a second spell, discloses the 2013 agreement in a new Netflix documentary about his career.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex”
José Mourinho · r/soccer ↗ -
Report Ferguson confirms the offer
Sir Alex Ferguson corroborates Mourinho's account, confirming he offered him the job and explained the situation to him directly.
“He was offered the job, yes”
Sir Alex Ferguson · r/soccer ↗ - 710 weeks quiet
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Event Ferguson retires, sounds out Mourinho
Sir Alex Ferguson, retiring after 26 years and 13 Premier League titles at Old Trafford, offers the manager's job to José Mourinho, who had just left Real Madrid.
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Event Mourinho signs, then reverses course
Mourinho agrees to succeed Ferguson but later changes his mind and rejoins Chelsea instead; David Moyes is subsequently appointed Manchester United manager.
What people are saying verbatim
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex”
José Mourinho, Football manager, subject of Netflix documentary · BBC (via Reddit r/soccer) ↗ · Aug 8
“He was offered the job, yes”
Sir Alex Ferguson, Former Manchester United manager · BBC (via Reddit r/soccer) ↗ · Aug 8
“I sat him down and explained the situation”
Sir Alex Ferguson, Former Manchester United manager · BBC (via Reddit r/soccer) ↗ · Aug 8