Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he had an agreement in 2013 to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of Manchester United. This revelation comes from a new documentary series about Mourinho’s career. However, he ultimately decided to return to Chelsea instead.
Ferguson, who led Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles during his 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013, confirmed that Mourinho was offered the position. Ferguson stated that he had explained the situation to Mourinho, and believed he was accepting the role, but the situation changed within hours.
Mourinho’s decision to return to Chelsea
Mourinho explained that his decision was driven by a strong emotional connection to Chelsea, where he had previously secured consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006. He described being “very flattered” by the offer to succeed Ferguson, acknowledging the “incredible appeal” of Manchester United.
However, Mourinho stated that his “love for a certain club” was more powerful than his general love for football. He felt a need to feel “loved” after his time at Real Madrid. Ferguson recounted a phone call where Mourinho, in tears, expressed that he could not break his word to Chelsea.
Mourinho does not regret his decision, calling it one made “with my heart.” He returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013, where he went on to win another Premier League title and the League Cup.
Later spell at Manchester United and other challenges
Mourinho eventually took charge of Manchester United in May 2016, succeeding Louis van Gaal. During his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford, he secured the League Cup and the Europa League titles. He was dismissed in December 2018 following a decline in results.
The documentary also delves into Mourinho’s previous experiences, including his first spell at Real Madrid. He helped the team challenge the dominance of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup trophies in his initial two seasons at the Bernabeu. The 100 points accumulated in the 2011-12 season remains a La Liga record.
However, his third season in the Spanish capital saw a downturn, leading to his dismissal at the end of the 2012-13 season, with Real finishing 15 points behind Barcelona. During this period, his relationship with club captain Iker Casillas became strained, a situation that divided the dressing room.
Casillas, who made 725 appearances over 25 years at Real, winning three Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns, spent much of the 2012-13 season on the bench. Casillas described his relationship with Mourinho as “very cold,” stating that it reached a breaking point. Former Real midfielder Sami Khedira noted that the rift with Casillas impacted everyone, creating a “nightmare” in the locker room, and affecting relationships with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and other Spanish players.
Mourinho claimed that Casillas had a poor attitude, citing instances where the captain requested more holidays for national team players, later training sessions due to traffic, and a preference to meet on matchday directly at the stadium instead of staying at a hotel. Mourinho interpreted these requests as a sign that the players were “spoilt.”
Casillas also revealed clashes with Mourinho over the manager’s approach to his international teammates from Barcelona. Mourinho, unapologetic, stated that he does not accept disrespect, emphasizing the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. He asserted that while players could be friendly in the national team, during club competition, it was “war.”
The documentary also touches upon Mourinho’s relationship with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who hired and subsequently sacked him twice. Mourinho described Abramovich as having “incredible passion for football, but knowing nothing about the situation.” He mentioned Abramovich’s increasing interference during his first spell, including pushing for the signing of Andriy Shevchenko, a player Mourinho stated he “never wanted to sign.” Shevchenko joined Chelsea in May 2006 for a club record fee of approximately £30m, scoring only nine league goals in 48 games over three years.
Following his dismissal by Abramovich in September 2007, Mourinho had an opportunity for “revenge” when his Inter Milan side faced Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 in February 2010. Inter Milan defeated Chelsea 2-1 and went on to win the title. Mourinho stated he was “playing against Roman that game,” seeking revenge against the person who had sacked him, and believing that “football belongs to people like me.”
Source: bbc.com
