Jose Mourinho referred to as Sir Alex Ferguson in tears after breaking Man Utd contract settlement
Jose Mourinho was set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013, but the Portuguese coach had a change of heart and called the legendary Scot in tears to explain his emotional decision
Jose Mourinho broke his agreement with Man Utd(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson has disclosed how Jose Mourinho broke down in tears during a phone call after confirming he wouldn’t be taking over as Manchester United boss.
‘The Special One’ had originally accepted the Old Trafford position when Ferguson stepped down in 2013 before performing an abrupt about-turn. At that point, Mourinho was preparing to depart Real Madrid following a disastrous third campaign at the Bernabeu.
Five years after his initial Chelsea exit, the Portuguese coach found himself available once more just as his former Premier League adversary was ending his 27-year reign at United.
Jose Mourinho had been earmarked to takeover from Sir Alex(Image: Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026)
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Speaking on Netflix’s new ‘Mourinho’ documentary, which airs on Tuesday (August 11), Ferguson recalled Mourinho’s tearful conversation after backing out of their arrangement.
“He was offered the job, yes,” said the United legend. “I sat him down and explained the situation and, as far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, had changed.” Mourinho had long been earmarked as a possible successor to Ferguson.
However, after feeling ‘betrayed’ by certain squad members at Real and effectively driven from the Bernabeu, he believed his requirements were better served by returning to Stamford Bridge, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Sir Alex Ferguson is an icon at Man Utd(Image: Getty)
“I was, of course, very flattered, because Man Utd has an incredible appeal,” said Mourinho. “When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Man Utd 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 I am loved.”
Despite having previously clashed with then-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, The Special One remained convinced his immediate future belonged back at Stamford Bridge. Yet that didn’t make delivering the devastating news to a man he reveres any less difficult.
Jose Mourinho did eventually take the Man Utd job(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Ferguson revealed: “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 gonna break my word’. The reason he gave to me, I could understand. But I was disappointed.”
United ultimately appointed David Moyes as Ferguson’s successor in what proved to be a catastrophic 10-month reign. Louis van Gaal subsequently took the helm and claimed the FA Cup during the latter half of his two-season spell before Mourinho eventually arrived.
“For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was…dramatic,” Mourinho continued. “But I don’t regret I.T., because it was a decision I made with my heart..
“I think it’s [philosopher Friedrich] Nietzsche [who said] that when you do something for something you love, it is never wrong. ” Mourinho returned to Chelsea just a fortnight after it was confirmed he was departing Real by mutual agreement.
It proved a different tale from his initial spell in west London, although he did secure a Premier League and EFL Cup double with the Blues in 2015. When he pitched up at Old Trafford in 2016, the machinery Sir Alex had established at United had already begun to malfunction.
Despite the failings of the new setup, however, Mourinho managed to claim both the Europa League and a League Cup with United during his maiden campaign. The infamous ‘third-season syndrome’ sadly reared its head once more as Mourinho was shown the door in December 2018.
Plenty of supporters might ponder whether the club’s recent trajectory could have been vastly different had he taken charge as planned when Ferguson departed in 2013, instead of trying to piece together the fragments of a jigsaw that was already crumbling.
The Special One embarks on another thrilling fresh chapter in his career as he makes his comeback to Real 13 years following his bitter exit.
The appointment could set up a potential showdown with United in this season’s Champions League, where Michael Carrick would face the challenge of defeating his former boss.
