José Mourinho Confirms He Signed Contract to Manage Manchester United in 2013 Before Dramatic U-Turn

José Mourinho has made the extraordinary revelation that he signed a contract to become Manchester United manager as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor in 2013, only to change his mind in an emotional volte-face that saw him return to Chelsea instead. The Portuguese coach's admission, confirmed by Ferguson himself in a new Netflix documentary, rewrites the narrative around one of the most significant managerial appointments in Premier League history.

The revelation means David Moyes, who ultimately took the reins at Old Trafford following Ferguson's retirement, was not the first choice for the job—a fact that will reignite debate about United's direction in the post-Ferguson era and the decade of relative decline that followed.

Why It Matters

This disclosure fundamentally alters our understanding of Manchester United's succession planning and the path the club took after Ferguson stepped down in May 2013. For years, the appointment of Moyes was presented as Ferguson's carefully considered choice, a handpicked successor who shared his Scottish roots and work ethic. Now we know the landscape was far more complicated.

Had Mourinho honoured that contract, the entire trajectory of English football over the past decade might look dramatically different. Chelsea's return to dominance under the Portuguese in his second spell at Stamford Bridge—including the 2014-15 Premier League title—might never have happened. United's tortuous journey through Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and eventually Mourinho himself in 2016, could have been avoided entirely.

The timing is particularly significant. In 2013, Mourinho was at the peak of his powers, fresh from guiding Real Madrid to La Liga glory and still possessing the hunger and tactical sharpness that had made him the most coveted manager in world football. By the time he eventually arrived at Old Trafford three years later, questions were already emerging about whether his methods remained suited to the modern game.

For United supporters, this revelation will prompt uncomfortable reflection. The club spent three years searching for stability before eventually turning to Mourinho anyway, by which point the squad required significant rebuilding and the manager's combative style was beginning to wear thin across the football world.

The Tangled History of Mourinho and Manchester United

Mourinho's relationship with Manchester United has always been complex, marked by admiration, rivalry, and ultimately a turbulent tenure that ended in acrimony. His connections to the club stretch back further than many realise, with persistent rumours of United interest surfacing at various points throughout his career.

When Ferguson announced his retirement in May 2013, having just guided United to their 20th league title, the football world assumed his successor would need to be someone capable of managing the weight of history. Moyes, who had built Everton into consistent top-six challengers on a modest budget, was presented as a safe pair of hands—a manager who understood the values Ferguson held dear.

The reality, we now learn, was messier. Mourinho had already put pen to paper before experiencing what appears to have been a profound change of heart. His emotional connection to Chelsea, where he had achieved unprecedented success in his first spell between 2004 and 2007, proved too strong to overcome.

His return to Stamford Bridge was announced in June 2013, just weeks after Ferguson's departure. At the time, it seemed like Mourinho was simply choosing a return to familiar territory over a new challenge. Now we understand he was actively walking away from a signed commitment to United—a decision that must have caused significant behind-the-scenes tension.

Ferguson's willingness to confirm this story in a documentary suggests there are no lingering hard feelings, or perhaps that enough time has passed for the truth to emerge without causing damage. The Scot has always been pragmatic about football's realities, and he would have understood the pull of Chelsea for a manager who had unfinished business at the club.

The Moyes Era and Its Lasting Consequences

David Moyes inherited a squad that, despite winning the title, was showing signs of age. Ferguson had performed one of his greatest managerial feats in dragging that group to the championship, papering over cracks that would become chasms under his successor.

Moyes lasted less than a season, sacked in April 2014 with United languishing in seventh place. The club then turned to Van Gaal, who brought a different kind of dysfunction before Mourinho finally arrived in 2016—three years later than originally planned.

That eventual Mourinho tenure produced a League Cup and Europa League triumph but ended badly, with the manager dismissed in December 2018 following a dismal run of results and reported dressing room unrest. The question that will now haunt United fans is whether an earlier arrival, with a fresher squad and a manager still at his peak, might have produced a different outcome.

What Happens Next

This revelation will dominate football discourse in the coming days, particularly as Ferguson's Netflix documentary reaches a wider audience. Expect further details to emerge about the nature of those 2013 negotiations and what specifically prompted Mourinho's dramatic change of heart.

For Mourinho, now managing Fenerbahçe in Turkey, this is another chapter in his ongoing effort to shape his legacy. The 62-year-old has always been acutely aware of his place in football history, and revealing this information positions him as a manager who was wanted by the biggest clubs at the biggest moments—even if he didn't always follow through.

United, meanwhile, continue their own rebuilding project under new ownership structures, with the post-Ferguson era still casting a long shadow. This story serves as a reminder of how differently things might have unfolded and how fine the margins are in football's sliding doors moments.

Ferguson's documentary will likely contain further revelations about his remarkable career, but few will carry the weight of this admission. The greatest manager in English football history chose Mourinho as his successor—and Mourinho said no.