Mourinho had deal to succeed Sir Alex at United
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ESPN News Services
Jose Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013. He ultimately opted to return to Chelsea instead, delaying his arrival at Old Trafford until 2016.
The Lost Era: Mourinho’s Unfulfilled Manchester United Destiny
Recent revelations from a Netflix documentary have shed light on a pivotal moment in Premier League history: Jose Mourinho’s secret agreement to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United in 2013. This disclosure confirms that the Portuguese manager had already signed a contract to lead the Old Trafford giants immediately following Ferguson's retirement. This revelation offers a new lens through which to view the post-Ferguson transition period, which eventually saw David Moyes take the helm.
The Choice Between Two Giants
At the time, Mourinho was concluding his tenure at Real Madrid, having managed the Spanish side from 2010 to 2013. The prospect of him taking over the most successful team in English football history was a narrative that dominated sports media for years. However, the emotional weight of his ties to Chelsea—the club where he had previously achieved immense success—proved to be a deciding factor. Despite the formal contract with United, Mourinho ultimately chose to return to Stamford Bridge, a decision he describes as having been made with significant emotional difficulty.
A Different Timeline for Old Trafford
Had Mourinho honored the 2013 agreement, the trajectory of Manchester United would have been drastically different. The club struggled to find long-term stability after Ferguson, cycling through multiple managers before Mourinho finally arrived in 2016. By delaying his appointment by three years, the club missed an opportunity to transition under a manager who was arguably at the peak of his tactical powers during the 2013 period, potentially avoiding the instability that defined the post-Ferguson era.
The Complexity of Coaching Legacies
This revelation highlights the volatile nature of managerial appointments at the elite level of football. Managers often navigate multiple offers simultaneously, and the final decision often hinges on personal connections and emotional loyalty rather than purely professional contracts. Mourinho's admission that he "tearfully turned back" on the deal underscores the high-stakes pressure and personal turmoil that often accompanies such high-profile career shifts.
Implications for Future Managerial Movements
Looking forward, this story serves as a reminder of how close major historical shifts in sports are to being realized. It reinforces the idea that the history of the Premier League is built upon a series of 'what-if' scenarios. As modern clubs continue to seek long-term success, the lesson from 2013 is that even the most ironclad agreements can be undone by the human element, forever altering the landscape of competitive football.
Conclusion
In summary, the confirmation that Jose Mourinho was inches away from managing Manchester United in 2013 provides critical context to his later tenure at the club from 2016 to 2019. It clarifies the complex relationship between Mourinho and the club's hierarchy during that decade. While he eventually led the team, the 2013 missed connection remains one of the most fascinating "lost chapters" in the storied history of Manchester United.