11th August 2026
August 11 – A new Netflix documentary has revealed that José Mourinho was set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 before changing his mind and returning to Chelsea.
The three-part series, “Mourinho”, comes from Ventureland, the company behind “Beckham” and “FIFA Uncovered”, and lands on Tuesday as Mourinho begins his second stint at Real Madrid. Much of it dwells on his first Bernabéu spell until he left in 2013 amid a broken relationship with the squad and a feud with captain Iker Casillas.
It was then, Mourinho reveals, that United came calling. “When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex,” he said.
Ferguson said: “He was offered a 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.”
Bruised by Madrid, Mourinho chose Chelsea because he “needed to feel that I’m loved.” Ferguson, recalling the phone call, said: “He was crying, and he says: ‘Oh, I can’t take it, I’ve given my word to Chelsea.’ The reason he gave to me, I could understand. But I was disappointed.”
Mourinho said: “For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic. But I don’t regret it because it was a decision that I made with my heart.”
He would eventually reach Old Trafford in 2016, winning the Europa League and League Cup. A fascinating what if, and a reminder of how differently history might have run.