Jose Mourinho has extraordinarily revealed that he ‘signed’ to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement at Manchester United in 2013, before going back on his decision to re-join Chelsea. 

Mourinho, 63, managed the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018, but has now admitted for the first time that he agreed to take charge of the club three years prior.

The Portuguese coach had just left Real Madrid in dramatic circumstances and was on the lookout for his next project when he was approached by United and Sir Alex.

Ferguson was looking for his successor after he left the club following a trophy-laden 26 years at the helm, and until now, it was believed that the managerial legend only had eyes for David Moyes.  

However, speaking in his new three-part Netflix docu-series, Mourinho dropped the bombshell that he was actually Ferguson’s first-choice. 

‘I go to Chelsea in 2013. But in that period, there is something that nobody knows,’ said the now Real Madrid boss in MOURINHO, which is set to air on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho has revealed he agreed to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement at Man United in 2013

The Portuguese coach dropped the bombshell in his new Netflix docu-series titled MOURINHO

‘I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth. And I think the objective of the 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.’

Following the stunning statement, the documentary then shows Ferguson confirming that he had indeed asked Mourinho to take over from him at United.

Ferguson said: ‘He was offered the job, yes. I sat him down and explained the situation, and as far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then within hours, it changed.’

Despite seemingly verbally agreeing with Ferguson to become his successor, Mourinho made a dramatic U-turn and instead decided to go back to his former club Chelsea, six years after his initial departure. 

‘Early evening, he phoned me, and he was crying,’ Ferguson continued. He said, “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 can understand, but I was disappointed.’

Mourinho was coming off the back of a turbulent season at Real Madrid, in which he and various members of the squad had fallen out. Sami Khedira, former Real midfielder and now Mourinho’s assistant, even described the dressing room as a ‘nightmare’ to be a part of.

And that difficult end to his tenure in Madrid, where he has now returned to, played a key part in his decision to return to Chelsea rather than take over at United.

‘I was of course very flattered because Man United has an incredible appeal,’ Mourinho added. ‘When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is 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.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Mourinho agreed to be his successor before making a u-turn

Mourinho decided to re-join Chelsea instead and says that he ‘did it for love’

‘For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic. But I don’t regret because it was a decision I made with my heart. 

‘I think it is [Friedrich] Nietzsche (the philosopher) who said something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I did it for love.’

Mourinho ended up spending two years back at the Blues, winning a third Premier League title of his career and a League Cup.

Meanwhile, Ferguson’s successor Moyes lasted just nine months in the job, and the Red Devils have yet to win another Premier League since the division’s most successful-ever manager left Old Trafford.

Mourinho did eventually end up at United, and managed to win the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League in his first season at the club before leading them to a second-place Premier League finish in 2017-18.

But his tenure quickly unravelled during his third season with poor results and a fallout with several prominent players – including £89million Paul Pogba – led to his sacking in December of his third season.