Jose Mourinho dropped a bombshell claim and revealed he was set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013. However, he ended up joining Chelsea after leaving Real Madrid for a second stint at the West London club, while the Red Devils appointed David Moyes in the top job.

In an upcoming Netflix documentary, Mourinho revealed that after his three-year spell with Madrid, he wanted to join a club where he felt loved. The Portuguese had a successful tenure with Chelsea from 2004 to 2007, where he won the club their first Premier League title in 50 years.

“I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period there is something nobody knows. I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth. And I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.

When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex. I was, of course, very flattered because Man United has an incredible appeal,” said Mourinho.

“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Man United is… It’s 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 that I’m loved.Ready to Go Unlimited?,” he added.

Ferguson confirmed Mourinho’s claim and stated that he thought that the former Porto coach will accept the role.

“I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then, within hours, it changed. One night, 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 going to break my word.’ The reason he gave to me, I could understand, but I was disappointed,” said Ferguson in the same documentary.

Although Mourinho did end up joining United and was appointed head coach in 2016 after Moyes was sacked in less than a season, Louis van Gaal stayed in the top job at Old Trafford for just two years. The Portuguese was in charge of the 20-time English champions for two and a half years. He remains the joint-most successful coach at the club post-Ferguson’s retirement, having led them to two trophies in his first season (2016-17) with triumphs in the Carabao Cup and Europa League. Only Erik ten Hag (Carabao Cup in 2023 and FA Cup in 2024) won as much silverware.

Meanwhile, United’s tally of 81 points in 2017-18 under Mourinho is the most they have managed in a Premier League season post-2013. Their second-place finish is the joint-highest they have finished in the English top-division league in this period alongside the 2020-21 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, where they also finished second but with 74 points.

Jose Mourinho’s Second Chelsea Stint

Mourinho’s second stint at Chelsea lasted two and a half years before he was sacked just before Christmas in 2015 with the Blues nearing the relegation battle just months after lifting the league. Over his two stints at the Blues, the Portuguese coach managed them in 321 competitive games with 204 wins. He lifted three Premier League titles at the West London club alongside three League Cups and one FA Cup crown. No other coach has won multiple league titles at the club in their history.