José Mourinho reveals he signed contract with Manchester United in 2013
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 12:30 AM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
José Mourinho disclosed that he signed a contract to become the Manchester United manager in 2013, intended to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson after his retirement. Mourinho later decided not to take the job and instead returned to Chelsea, a revelation confirmed by Ferguson in a new Netflix documentary. Ferguson's retirement marked a significant transition for United, having led the club to numerous titles during his tenure. The details surrounding this deal have come to light in recent discussions about Ferguson's legacy and the club's managerial changes post-Ferguson.
- •Mourinho signed a contract with Manchester United in 2013.
- •He chose to return to Chelsea instead of taking the role.
- •Ferguson's retirement led to a key transition for United.
- •This story is featured in a new Netflix documentary.
- 1:21 AMESPN — Mourinho had deal to succeed Sir Alex at United
- 11:24 PMThe Guardian Sport — José Mourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013
"Mourinho says he reneged on deal to return to Chelsea Ferguson confirms story in new Netflix documentary José Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea. The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph win during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford. Continue reading...
"Jose Mourinho revealed in a documentary that he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully turn back on the deal and return to Chelsea.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 10, 2026, 1:21 AMMourinho had deal to succeed Sir Alex at United
Jose Mourinho revealed in a documentary that he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully turn back on the deal and return to Chelsea.
- The Guardian SportAug 9, 2026, 11:24 PMJosé Mourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013
Mourinho says he reneged on deal to return to Chelsea Ferguson confirms story in new Netflix documentary José Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea. The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring having overseen a 13th Premier League title triumph win during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford. Continue reading...
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- EPL•Aug 9, 2026, 11:10 PMChalobah: ‘Fabregas wanted me’ at Como, emotional Chelsea farewell
- EPL•Aug 9, 2026, 11:10 PMFiorentina wants Juventus star but he insists on staying in Turin
- EPL•Aug 9, 2026, 11:01 PMMourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
EPL•Aug 9, 2026, 10:25 PMPapers: Man Utd and Arsenal chase Club Brugge full-back Seys- EPL•Aug 9, 2026, 9:50 PMEnzo Maresca casts doubt over the future of a Manchester City attacker
- EPL•Aug 9, 2026, 9:25 PMChelsea Are In The Mix To Recruit This Brentford Striker: Should Alonso Bring Him On Board?
