Mourinho reveals why he snubbed Manchester United for Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he had agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 before changing his mind and returning to Chelsea.

The Portuguese coach, now back at Real Madrid for a second spell, made the revelation in a new Netflix documentary series about his career, ending years of speculation over why he did not become Ferguson's immediate successor.

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“When I left Real Madrid, I signed to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex,” the 63-year-old said.

Ferguson, who retired in 2013 after 26 years at Old Trafford and 13 Premier League titles, confirmed Mourinho had been offered the job.

“He was offered the job, yes,” Ferguson said. “I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed.”

The reason was Chelsea.

Mourinho had already won consecutive Premier League titles with the London club in 2005 and 2006 and was tempted by the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge.

“One night, 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’,” Ferguson recalled. “The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed.”

Mourinho admitted the chance to succeed Ferguson was hugely appealing, but ultimately his emotional connection with Chelsea won out.

“I was very flattered to be offered the job of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson because Manchester United has an incredible appeal,” he said.

I was very flattered to be offered the job of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.

“But one thing is love for football, 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.”

“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic, but I don't regret (it) because it was a decision that I made with my heart.”

Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and won his third Premier League title and the League Cup before leaving in 2015. A year later, he finally got his chance at United, succeeding Louis van Gaal.

His two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford brought League Cup and Europa League success, but he was sacked in December 2018 following a slump in results.

Mourinho also opened up about his complicated relationship with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who sacked him twice.

The Portuguese said Abramovich became increasingly involved in footballing decisions during his first spell, including pushing for the signing of Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan in 2006.

Shevchenko cost Chelsea approximately £30 million but scored only nine league goals in 48 appearances during his three-year spell.

“Abramovich - incredible passion for football, but knowing nothing about the situation,” Mourinho said.

“Shevchenko was on the table because of connections with the boss, connections with agents and I never wanted to sign him, but I never told no one, so it's also my responsibility.”

“The player that I wanted? [Samuel] Eto'o.”

Mourinho eventually got his chance for revenge against Abramovich when Inter Milan faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League in 2010.

Inter won 2-1 and went on to lift the trophy.

“Honestly, I was playing against Roman that game,” Mourinho said.

“I was playing against a guy that sacked me. I go home happy and he goes home upset.”

Then came the Mourinho line that summed up his relationship with football better than any trophy could.

“But I needed revenge, because football belongs to people like me. The other ones are the intruders that don't belong. Football belongs to the players, belongs to the coaches, belongs to the fans. Football will always belong to us.”