Mourinho Signed 2013 Man United Contract Before Tearful Chelsea Return

Jose Mourinho signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 but withdrew after a tearful phone call to return to Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho signed a formal contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013, according to revelations in the new Netflix documentary "Mourinho." The Portuguese coach agreed to the deal following his departure from Real Madrid, intending to take over at Old Trafford immediately after Ferguson concluded a tenure that included 13 Premier League titles. Despite the signed agreement, Mourinho contacted Ferguson via a tearful early evening phone call to explain he would not fulfill the commitment, opting instead to return to Chelsea.

Ferguson, who announced his retirement following his final league triumph, confirmed he was under the impression the deal was finalized until the situation shifted within a matter of hours. During the phone conversation, Mourinho informed the Scottish manager that he could not break his word to Chelsea. This reversal led United to appoint David Moyes, who was subsequently sacked after only 10 months in charge as the club struggled to maintain its dominance in the English game.

The Decision to Reject Old Trafford

Mourinho described the choice to abandon the Manchester United opportunity as dramatic, yet he maintained that the decision was driven by his heart rather than professional logic. He characterized the appeal of Manchester United as being very close to that of Real Madrid, which he labeled the biggest club in the world. However, he cited a specific need to feel loved following his stint in Spain, leading him back to Stamford Bridge where he had previously secured two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and two League Cups between 2004 and 2007.

Although Mourinho eventually managed Manchester United for a two-and-a-half-year period starting in 2016, the 2013 document marks the first time he confirmed a signed agreement existed three years prior. He noted that while he felt a responsibility not to destroy his legacy at Chelsea, his return to London felt like going home. This homecoming resulted in another Premier League crown and a League Cup before his dismissal in December 2015.

Ferguson’s Reaction to the Withdrawal

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted to feeling disappointed by the sudden change in plans but stated he understood the reasoning Mourinho provided during their emotional call. The documentary features interviews with both figures, detailing how the Portuguese manager reconciled with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to facilitate his return to London. Mourinho emphasized that doing something for love is never wrong, even if it meant losing the chance to be the immediate successor to the most successful manager in United's history.

Current Status at Real Madrid

Now back in charge of Real Madrid, Mourinho is preparing for the start of the LaLiga season following a 2025-26 campaign in which the Spanish side failed to win any trophies. His first competitive fixture of the new term is scheduled for August 22, an away match against Espanyol. The revelations regarding the 2013 contract come as part of a broader effort to tell the truth about his career path, which saw him prioritize his bond with Chelsea over the vacancy created by Ferguson's retirement.

United’s failure to return to the top of the English game since 2013 serves as the backdrop for these disclosures. While Moyes lasted less than a year, Mourinho’s eventual arrival in 2016 occurred long after the initial opportunity he tearfully declined. The documentary highlights that the Portuguese coach felt his love for a specific club was more powerful than his love for football in general during that pivotal summer window.