Sliding doors - when Mourinho said yes, then no, to Man Utd

Mourinho Turned Down Manchester United Job Before Ferguson's Retirement, New Details Reveal

Jose Mourinho rejected the chance to become Manchester United manager before Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, according to revelations that shed new light on one of football's great sliding doors moments. The Portuguese coach, who eventually did take charge at Old Trafford three years later, initially said yes to United's approach before dramatically changing his mind—a decision that would alter the trajectory of both his career and the club's fortunes.

The inside story of those negotiations reveals a tantalising glimpse of what might have been had Mourinho agreed to succeed Ferguson when first asked, rather than waiting until the club had already endured turbulent spells under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

Why It Matters

This revelation fundamentally reframes our understanding of Manchester United's post-Ferguson era. For over a decade, the narrative has centred on David Moyes being the "Chosen One"—handpicked by Ferguson himself to continue his legacy. Now we know that United's hierarchy had already identified Mourinho as their preferred candidate, only for circumstances to conspire against the appointment.

Had Mourinho taken the reins in 2013, he would have inherited a squad that had just won the Premier League by 11 points. Robin van Persie was at the peak of his powers, Wayne Rooney remained a world-class operator, and the foundations Ferguson built were still intact. Instead, Mourinho returned to Chelsea for a second spell, won the league title in 2015, and only arrived at United when those foundations had crumbled significantly.

The timing question is crucial. Mourinho in 2013 was arguably at the height of his powers—fresh from guiding Real Madrid to a La Liga title with a record 100 points and still possessing the tactical sharpness and man-management skills that would gradually desert him in later years. By the time he finally walked through the door at Old Trafford in 2016, both manager and club were diminished versions of themselves.

The Long Pursuit: United's Complicated History With Mourinho

Manchester United's interest in Mourinho was hardly a secret. The relationship between the club and the self-styled "Special One" stretched back years, with Ferguson himself acknowledging Mourinho's quality while simultaneously viewing him as a fierce rival during those epic battles between United and Chelsea in the mid-2000s.

When Mourinho left Inter Milan in 2010 after delivering an unprecedented treble, United were among the clubs monitoring his situation. The Portuguese had achieved the unthinkable in Serie A, winning the Champions League, Serie A, and Coppa Italia in a single season—cementing his reputation as the most coveted manager in world football.

His subsequent spell at Real Madrid, while yielding that remarkable league title, was also marked by dressing room discord and a fractured relationship with key players. Perhaps United saw warning signs even then. Perhaps Mourinho himself recognised that following the most successful British manager in history required different circumstances than those available in 2013.

What's particularly fascinating is the initial acceptance followed by the reversal. This wasn't a simple rejection—Mourinho apparently agreed before withdrawing, suggesting external factors or deeper reservations came into play during the decision-making process.

The Chelsea factor looms large here. Roman Abramovich's club had never truly moved on from their former manager, and the prospect of returning to Stamford Bridge—where he was genuinely adored and had already proven himself—may have ultimately proved more appealing than the immense pressure of replacing Ferguson.

The Moyes Experiment and Its Aftermath

With Mourinho unavailable, United turned to David Moyes, whose appointment was announced on the same day Ferguson confirmed his retirement in May 2013. The Scot arrived from Everton with Ferguson's personal blessing, but the transition proved disastrous.

Moyes lasted just ten months, overseeing a seventh-place finish that remains United's worst Premier League campaign. The squad that had cruised to the title under Ferguson suddenly looked ordinary, and questions immediately arose about whether a different appointment might have yielded different results.

Louis van Gaal followed, bringing a peculiar brand of "philosophy" that delivered an FA Cup triumph but little else in terms of entertainment or league consistency. By the time the Dutchman was dismissed in May 2016, United had spent three years in the wilderness—a period that might have been avoided entirely had that initial approach to Mourinho succeeded.

When Mourinho finally did arrive, expectations were astronomical. He delivered a League Cup and Europa League double in his first season, but the football was often turgid, the atmosphere increasingly toxic, and his departure in December 2018 felt inevitable long before it happened.

What Happens Next

These historical revelations arrive at a particularly poignant moment for both parties. Mourinho is currently navigating his latest challenge at Fenerbahçe, having left Roma earlier in 2024 after a mixed spell in the Italian capital. His stock has fallen considerably from the days when Europe's elite clubs queued for his signature.

United, meanwhile, continue their own rebuild under new ownership structures, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group now wielding significant influence. The club remains haunted by that post-Ferguson transition period, and stories like this only reinforce how different their recent history might have been.

For historians and supporters alike, this is a reminder that football's greatest what-ifs often hinge on decisions made in private conversations, away from the cameras and the headlines. Mourinho's initial yes, followed by his subsequent no, shaped the destinies of multiple clubs and countless players.

The lesson, perhaps, is that timing in football management is everything. The right manager at the wrong time—or the wrong manager at the right time—can derail even the most storied institutions. United discovered this the hard way, and Mourinho's own career trajectory suggests he might have benefited from taking that leap of faith when first offered the chance.

Whether this revelation prompts reflection at Old Trafford or simply adds another layer to the endless debate about United's post-Ferguson decline, it serves as a compelling reminder that the margins between success and failure in elite football are razor-thin.