Jose Mourinho has finally addressed long-standing rumors regarding his decision to reject the Manchester United managerial position in 2013. In a recent Netflix documentary series covering his career, the coach confirmed that he had initially accepted the role as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor before abruptly changing his mind to return to Chelsea.
Sir Alex Ferguson corroborated this account, noting that he held a serious discussion with Mourinho and believed an agreement had been reached. However, the situation shifted significantly within hours when Mourinho opted to honor a commitment he had made to Chelsea. Mourinho explained that while he felt honored by the interest from Manchester United, he felt a deeper personal connection to Chelsea at that time.
Although missing the chance to succeed a legend like Ferguson was a dramatic turning point, Mourinho maintained that he made the decision based on his heart. He eventually did manage Manchester United in 2016, leading the club to Europa League and League Cup victories before his departure in 2018. The documentary also touches upon the complex dynamics behind his tenure at Real Madrid, including his strained professional relationship with club captain Iker Casillas and his history of friction with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
