Mourinho reveals Manchester United contract in 2013

José Mourinho has revealed he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 only to tearfully renege on the deal and return to Chelsea.

Why it matters for Manchester United

The revelation comes as Manchester United have failed to return to the top of the English game since Ferguson stepped down, with his successor, David Moyes, sacked after 10 months in charge.

What comes next?

Mourinho was later brought in, spending two and a half years in charge from 2016, but in a new Netflix documentary about his life said that he had agreed to come earlier.

According to the documentary, Mourinho signed a contract to join Manchester United in 2013, but ultimately decided to return to Chelsea. He was quoted as saying, "I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period there is something nobody knows."

Mourinho was flattered by the offer from Manchester United, but ultimately decided that he needed to feel loved by a club. He said, "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."

Ferguson was interviewed for the documentary and admits he was under the illusion Mourinho was accepting the offer. "Early evening, he phoned me and he was crying," Ferguson said. "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.'"

Current Manchester United form

Manchester United are currently 3rd in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal. They have been in good form, winning their last 4 games in a row, with a recent 3-0 win over Brighton.

Current squad

The team is currently without several key players, including Manuel Ugarte, Lisandro Martínez, Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha, and Senne Lammens.

League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 3rd in Premier League, 71 pts, 20W-11D-7L from 38 games, recent form WWDWW. Goals this season: 69 scored, 50 conceded (+19 goal difference). Title race: 14 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Brighton 0-3 Manchester United (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 4W-1D-0L (WWWWD, most recent first); on a 4-game winning run.