José Mourinho reveals he signed contract to succeed Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013

José Mourinho has disclosed that he signed a contractual agreement to take over as Manchester United manager following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, before ultimately reversing his decision to rejoin Chelsea. The Portuguese tactician revealed this stunning revelation as Ferguson himself confirmed the details in a newly released Netflix documentary. Ferguson's retirement concluded a 26-year tenure at Old Trafford during which he secured 13 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League crowns, and established Manchester United as England's dominant force throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

The 2013 managerial transition represented one of football's most critical junctures, as Ferguson's departure left the club seeking a successor to maintain their championship momentum. Mourinho, who had recently completed his third spell at Chelsea and possessed an exceptional track record including multiple league titles across Portugal, England, and Italy, appeared positioned to continue United's legacy. However, the emotional weight of his contractual commitment to Chelsea ultimately proved decisive, compelling Mourinho to abandon the Manchester United arrangement. Ferguson's confirmation of these events through the documentary adds substantial credibility to Mourinho's account, ending years of speculation surrounding the managerial succession.

Mourinho's choice to return to Chelsea rather than manage Manchester United fundamentally altered the club's trajectory during a pivotal period. David Moyes subsequently assumed the position but managed only 34 league wins in two seasons before being replaced, beginning a turbulent managerial cycle that contrasted sharply with Ferguson's stability. Mourinho eventually became Manchester United manager in 2016 following Louis van Gaal's tenure, winning the EFL Cup and Europa League but ultimately departing in December 2018 amid mounting pressures and inconsistent performances that reflected the enduring challenges of succeeding Ferguson's unparalleled success.