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Jose Mourinho has revealed that he signed a contract in 2013 to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, before backing out of the move and returning to Chelsea instead. The Portuguese coach had agreed to take over at Old Trafford after leaving Real Madrid, but in the end chose an emotional return to Stamford Bridge following a heart-to-heart conversation with Ferguson.

Old Trafford deal revealed

Mourinho has disclosed that he had in fact signed an agreement to replace Ferguson at United in the summer of 2013. The Portuguese tactician had been lined up to take charge at Old Trafford after his departure from Madrid. However, he made an emotional decision to withdraw from the deal and go back to Chelsea, with United then appointing David Moyes as Ferguson's successor.

Mourinho explains Chelsea choice

Behind his big decision to reject the Red Devils, emotional reasons and his deep attachment to Stamford Bridge were the main factors behind the sudden change of heart.

Revealing the long-kept secret in the Netflix documentary 'Mourinho', the coach said: "I go to Chelsea in 2013 but in that period there is something nobody knows. I think I can say because I don't hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth. When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.

"I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal. When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close. But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club. I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved."

Ferguson confirmed how events unfolded, recalling the moment Mourinho phoned him to deliver the news: "Early evening he phoned me and he was crying. And he says, 'Alex, I can't take it - I've given my word to Chelsea, and I'm not going to break my word'. The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed."

No regrets over decision

That emotional call eventually led to Mourinho winning a third Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2014-15 season, before he later took charge at United in 2016.

Looking back on the dramatic turn in his career, the former Benfica boss added: "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. And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it's nature. I did it for love.

"I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don't want to destroy your legacy."

Transition triggers prolonged drought

This major revelation provides fresh perspective on the post-Ferguson transition that interrupted United's period of dominance, with the club having failed to win a Premier League title since his exit. Now back in charge of Los Blancos, this behind-the-scenes disclosure further strengthens Mourinho's standing as one of modern football's most fascinating figures.