Mourinho’s Near Appointment in 2013
Jose Mourinho reportedly signed a contract to become Manchester United manager in 2013, succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, but ultimately returned to Chelsea. This information has emerged from a new documentary series about Mourinho’s career. Ferguson, who was interviewed for the documentary, stated that Mourinho contacted him, expressing that he could not accept the role as he had given his word to Chelsea.
According to reports, the decision reversal was swift, occurring within days, though the process to secure Mourinho’s services had been ongoing for weeks. Meetings took place in Madrid and London, where Ferguson informed Mourinho of his intention to step down at the end of the 2012-13 season. Negotiations progressed to terms, and an agreement was reached before it was ultimately withdrawn.
Mourinho cited family reasons for his decision, although some individuals connected to United have expressed doubt regarding this explanation. He has a family home in London and had previously promised to return to Chelsea after his initial departure in 2007. His positive relationship with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is also believed to have played a role in his choice.
For a brief period, Manchester United believed they had secured Mourinho. This turn of events is still considered a significant moment in the club’s history. Ferguson’s departure coincided with that of highly respected chief executive David Gill, and Mourinho was seen as having the necessary experience to manage the transition and the club’s evolving structure.
Impact of the Decision
With Mourinho out of contention and Pep Guardiola committed to Bayern Munich, United appointed David Moyes. Moyes, then the Everton manager, shared some managerial traits with Ferguson but had not operated at the same high level. United announced Moyes as ‘The Chosen One’, but his tenure was short-lived, as he was sacked after 10 months.
It is now widely felt that Mourinho would have had a more significant impact if he had directly succeeded Ferguson. His personality suggested he would have approached the task with confidence, believing he could improve upon the club’s standing. In contrast to the hesitation seen in the transfer market under Moyes, it is suggested that Mourinho would have been more decisive in executing deals.
For instance, sources indicate that Thiago Alcantara’s agreed move from Barcelona would have been completed under Mourinho’s leadership. Additionally, the club might have avoided issues surrounding the transfer of Marouane Fellaini, who joined from Everton for £27.5m on deadline day after the club missed out on a lower release fee. It is claimed that Fellaini would not have been signed if Mourinho had been in charge.
Mourinho had provided United with his views on several players, including Italy midfielder Daniele de Rossi. The prevailing sentiment is that Mourinho would not only have signed new players but also would have extracted more from the experienced players already at the club. While it is generally accepted that no one could have achieved more with Ferguson’s final title-winning squad than Ferguson himself, the subsequent drop to seventh place in the league was unexpected.
Even the players from that era have reportedly struggled to pinpoint specific reasons for the decline. There is a belief that Mourinho’s presence would have provided the necessary impetus. Ferguson, in the documentary, recounts Mourinho’s emotional explanation for not joining, highlighting the significant blow it was to Manchester United, a blow from which some suggest the club is still recovering.
Mourinho’s Later Tenure at United
Mourinho eventually became Manchester United manager in 2016, replacing Louis van Gaal. Van Gaal was dismissed shortly after his team won the FA Cup by defeating Crystal Palace. By 2016, Mourinho’s managerial approach had evolved, and the dressing room at Old Trafford was different from three years prior.
Of the 18 players who started 10 or more Premier League games in the 2012-13 title-winning season, only six—David de Gea, Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick, and Antonio Valencia—did so in Mourinho’s first season as manager. Mourinho himself had also undergone changes, having left Chelsea in December 2015 with the club in 16th place.
During his time at Manchester United, Mourinho won the Europa League and the EFL Cup in his first season, and the team qualified for the Champions League twice. He described finishing second in the Premier League, 19 points behind champions Manchester City, as one of the ‘best achievements’ of his career. United’s 81 points that season remain their highest tally in a post-Ferguson Premier League campaign.
However, Mourinho also had disagreements with players, including Paul Pogba, and accused the club’s hierarchy of not supporting his desire to sell striker Anthony Martial. Mourinho expressed that losing the opportunity to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic but stated he did not regret his decision, as it was made from the heart, driven by a desire to return to Chelsea.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
