JOSE MOURINHO has sensationally revealed he had agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.
But the Portuguese boss pulled out of the deal at the last minute and rang Sir Alex in tears to tell him the news.
Jose Mourinho agreed with Sir Alex Ferguson he would take on the Manchester United job from the legendary Scot Credit: Getty – Contributor
The Special One changed his mind and returned to Chelsea instead Credit: Getty
Mourinho, 63, has opened up on the dramatic tale from 2013 during his new self-titled documentary that will premier on Netflix tomorrow.
And the Special One has explained how his “love” for Chelsea made him return to Stamford Bridge, when he could have got the United job ahead of David Moyes.
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Speaking in his new doc, Mourinho said: “I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period there is something that nobody knows.
“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth and I think the objective of this work we are doing is to tell the truth.
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“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.
“I was, of course, very flattered, because Man United has an incredible appeal.
“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Man United is very, very close.
“But 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.
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Mourinho is back in the dugout at Real Madrid again Credit: Getty
“And, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I am loved.
“For me to lose the chance to be the coach that succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic.
“But I don’t regret it, because it was a decision that I made with my heart.
“And I think it is nature that says that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it is nature. I did it for love.”
Sir Alex was convinced that Mourinho would be following in his footsteps after the pair held talks.
The Special One was coming off the back of a turbulent three years at Real Madrid where he had fallen out with the dressing room.
Mourinho did, however, win LaLiga during his second season and beat Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona to the Copa del Rey the year before.
The Real Madrid boss eventually took charge of United in 2016, three years after Sir Alex thought he would be the man to directly succeed him.
In the end it was David Moyes who went straight in after Fergie Credit: Getty
Mourinho took charge at Old Trafford from 2016 to 2018 Credit: Getty – Contributor
Sir Alex said in the documentary: “He was offered the 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.
“Early evening, he phoned me and he was crying.
“And he says, ‘Alex, I cannot take it, I gave my word to Chelsea and I am not going to break my word.’
“The reason he gave to me I can understand, but I was disappointed.”
