Jose Mourinho Reflects on Missed Chance to Succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United

In a revealing docuseries, Jose Mourinho shares his journey and the pivotal decision to return to Chelsea instead of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Reflecting on his career, Mourinho discusses the emotional factors behind his choices and the legacy he aimed to uphold. This article delves into the legendary manager's thoughts on love, loyalty, and the responsibilities that come with coaching top clubs. Read on to explore the insights from one of football's most iconic figures.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 10, 2026, 13:48 IST

Mourinho's Career Decisions Unveiled

Lisbon [Portugal], August 10: Renowned manager Jose Mourinho, who is currently in his second term with Real Madrid, disclosed that he was poised to take over from the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013. However, he ultimately opted to return to Chelsea, where he had previously managed from 2004 to 2007.

In a three-part docuseries titled 'Mourinho', the legendary manager shared insights about his illustrious career, which includes achievements with top clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Inter Milan. He stated, as reported by ESPN, 'The aim of this documentary is to reveal the truth. After leaving Real Madrid, I had signed with Manchester United to succeed Sir Alex [Ferguson].'

Having concluded his first spell at Real Madrid, where he secured a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey, Mourinho's relationship with several players, including captain Iker Casillas, had soured by the end.

Ferguson, who announced his retirement from Manchester United after a successful 27-year tenure, confirmed that Mourinho was indeed offered the managerial position. 'I sat him down and explained the situation. He seemed to accept, but then things changed within hours,' Ferguson recounted.

Mourinho expressed that he was honored by the offer but chose to rejoin Chelsea, feeling a need for affection after a challenging period in Spain. Ferguson recalled a heartfelt conversation, saying, 'He was emotional and said, 'I cannot do it; I promised Chelsea, and I won't break my word.' I understood his reasoning, but I was disappointed.'

Looking back, Mourinho stated he has no regrets about his choice to return to Chelsea instead of taking the reins at Manchester United. 'It was a tough decision to pass up the chance to follow Sir Alex Ferguson, but I made it with my heart. Nietzsche once said that when you act out of love, you can never go wrong. I did it for love,' he reflected.

He added, 'Returning felt like coming home, but it came with immense responsibility because I wanted to preserve my legacy.'

During his first tenure at Chelsea, Mourinho ended a 50-year wait for a league title, winning the Premier League in both 2004 and 2005. He repeated this success in the 2014-15 season during his second stint, but was dismissed by owner Roman Abramovich after a poor start to the 2016-17 season.

In 2016, Mourinho took over at Manchester United, where he led the team to victory in the UEFA Europa League and the League Cup during his 2.5-year tenure.