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Mourinho admits: He should replace Ferguson in

26 August 2026·5 min read·Antonio Ríos
Mourinho admits: He should replace Ferguson in

José Mourinho has revealed he had a deal in place to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013, but chose to return to Chelsea for emotional reasons.

Mourinho admits: He should replace Ferguson in

According to Vi.

Context

José Mourinho is a famous manager in the Premier League, who succeeded at Chelsea and became part of the history of Manchester United. His decision not to accept the offer from United underlined his association with Chelsea, where he returned to continue his career. Sir Alex Ferguson's comments in the documentary reveal the personal aspects of football decisions, which fans often don't see.

Why it matters

José Mourinho's decision not to accept the position as manager of Manchester United in 2013 had a major impact on his career and the future of Premier League football. This opportunity may have opened a new chapter for Manchester United, who were looking for a replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, and allowed him to return to Chelsea, where he has been successful. Such decisions illustrate the challenges and emotional aspects of managing a Premier League club.

Key Points

  • Mourinho admits: He should replace Ferguson in.
  • José Mourinho revealed in a new documentary that he almost became Sir Alex Ferguson's successor as Manchester United coach in 2013, but decided to keep his word and return to Chelsea.
  • Mourinhu zou Ferguson ogbilgen: 'Ik denk dat ik het nu wel kan tellerlen'.
José Mourinho made a stark revelation in a new Netflix documentary about his career as a coach in Europe—he would have been chosen to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013. At the time, many hoped Ferguson would bring in a long-term replacement before finally retiring after more than twenty years at the top of English football. According to Mourinho, he already had an agreement to accept the job at Old Trafford. But before everything happened, he decided to reject that opportunity and choose to return to Chelsea as a coach. He shared that after his poor last few months at Real Madrid, he yearned more for the love and respect he would surely feel at Stamford Bridge. "After Real Madrid, I need to feel the love again," said Mourinho. The documentary features Sir Alex Ferguson, and the legendary coach confirmed that Mourinho was indeed offered the position. "We spoke and I thought he had accepted, but a few hours later he called again crying and saying, 'I can't. I made a promise to Chelsea and I won't break my word.' I understood his reason even though I was disappointed," said Ferguson.
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Mourinho added, although it hurts that he did not seize the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Ferguson, he does not regret the decision. "It was an emotional decision that I made from the heart," added Mourinho. He even quoted a saying from the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: "You can never make a mistake as long as you do it out of love." It would have been a huge turnaround for Manchester United who eventually appointed David Moyes, while Mourinho was once again successful on his return to Chelsea. Mourinho's decision is one of the most talked about "what ifs" in Premier League history. To this day, many fans still wonder how Manchester United's history would have turned out if Mourinho had succeeded Ferguson. This situation clearly shows how the emotions, principles, and personal feelings of coaches have a profound effect on the path of big football teams. For Mourinho and Ferguson, respect and understanding remained for the decision they chose, and it has become part of their wealth as legends in the world of football.

What's next

With Mourinho admitting his decision, it could give fans and pundits a new insight into the reasons why coaches choose certain clubs. His return to Chelsea brought successes and challenges that contributed to his reputation as one of the best managers in the Premier League. In the future, the effects of his decision on the history of Manchester United and Chelsea can be discussed, as well as the lessons that can be learned from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did José Mourinho admit in the new documentary?

José Mourinho has admitted that he would have been the choice to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013.

Who confirmed that Mourinho was offered the position at Manchester United?

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Mourinho has indeed been offered the position as manager of Manchester United.

Why didn't Mourinho accept the position at Manchester United?

Mourinho decided to reject the opportunity and chose to return to Chelsea because of his need for love and respect.

What was Mourinho's decision after the offer from Manchester United?

After the offer, Mourinho decided not to accept it and chose Chelsea, even though it was painful for him.

What changes occurred in Mourinho's career after the offer?

After the offer, Mourinho returned to Chelsea as coach, which gave him a chance to feel the love from the fans again.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

What did José Mourinho admit in the new documentary?
José Mourinho has admitted that he would have been the choice to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013.
Who confirmed that Mourinho was offered the position at Manchester United?
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Mourinho was indeed offered the position as manager of Manchester United.
Why didn't Mourinho accept the position at Manchester United?
Mourinho decided to turn down the opportunity and chose to return to Chelsea because of his need for love and respect.
What was Mourinho's decision after the offer from Manchester United?
After the offer, Mourinho decided not to accept it and chose Chelsea, even though it was painful for him.
What changes occurred in Mourinho's career after the offer?
After the offer, Mourinho returned to Chelsea as coach, which gave him a chance to feel the love from the fans again.
What happened in this story?
Mourinho admits: He should replace Ferguson in summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
TeamsPremier LeagueManchester UnitedChelsea FCJosé MourinhoSir Alex Ferguson

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