Mourinho reveals he declined Manchester United after Ferguson
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 9, 2026, 11:01 PM
Last updated Aug 9, 2026
Jose Mourinho has disclosed that he initially agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013. In a new Netflix documentary, Mourinho stated he had signed to take the job after leaving Real Madrid but ultimately chose to return to Chelsea instead. Ferguson confirmed that he believed Mourinho had accepted the role before he changed his mind. Mourinho expressed feeling flattered by the offer but indicated his loyalty to Chelsea guided his decision. He later managed United from mid-2016 to late 2018, winning multiple titles before being dismissed. Currently, he is back at Real Madrid.
- •Mourinho initially agreed to replace Ferguson at United in 2013.
- •He cited loyalty to Chelsea as a reason for declining the position.
- •Ferguson confirmed he was under the impression Mourinho had accepted.
- •Mourinho later won the League Cup and Europa League with United.
- •He returned to Real Madrid in 2026 after previous spells.
- 11:01 PMYahoo Sports — Mourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
- 11:01 PMBBC Sport — Mourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
"David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013 but things could have been so different, Jose Mourinho reveals in a new documentary.
"David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013 but things could have been so different, Jose Mourinho reveals in a new documentary.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 9, 2026, 11:01 PMMourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013 but things could have been so different, Jose Mourinho reveals in a new documentary.
- BBC SportAug 9, 2026, 11:01 PMMourinho says he agreed to replace Ferguson at Man Utd
David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013 but things could have been so different, Jose Mourinho reveals in a new documentary.
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