Jose Mourinho has confirmed he signed a contract to take over as Manchester United manager in 2013, but ultimately reneged on the deal to return to Chelsea, according to a new Netflix documentary. The Portuguese manager, who previously coached at Chelsea, revealed the details in a documentary backed by former United boss Alex Ferguson. The deal was set to see Mourinho replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, but he changed his mind and opted to rejoin his former club. The revelation comes as part of a broader look into Mourinho’s career and his complex relationship with English football.

Mourinho’s decision to walk away from the Manchester United opportunity has been a topic of discussion among football historians and fans. The documentary, which includes insights from Ferguson, sheds light on the personal and professional factors that influenced Mourinho’s choice. While the exact terms of the original contract remain unclear, the former manager’s emotional reaction to the situation has been widely reported.

The episode highlights the high stakes involved in managerial moves at top-tier clubs. Mourinho’s return to Chelsea was seen as a major shift in his career trajectory. Despite the broken deal with Manchester United, his influence on the game remains significant, with his tactical and motivational approach still studied by coaches around the world.

Sources
  • thesun.co.uk — Arsenal misfit Gabriel Jesus lined up for Italian job with Napoli as transfer replacement for Romelu Lukaku
  • espn.com.au — Mourinho had deal to succeed Sir Alex at United
  • espn.co.uk — Mourinho had deal to succeed Sir Alex at United
  • The Guardian — Man UtdMourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Ferguson at United in 2013
  • Irish Independent — Jose Mourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United