Jose Mourinho agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013, signing a contract but withdrawing within hours to return to Chelsea instead [1, 2, 3]. Ferguson had retired that year after a 26-year tenure during which he won 13 Premier League titles, ending an era at the club [1, 2, 3].
Mourinho described his decision as emotional, saying he needed "to feel that I'm loved" after his time at Real Madrid. He told reporters, "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" [1, 3].
Ferguson confirmed Mourinho had initially accepted the role but then called him in tears, explaining he could not break his word to Chelsea. Ferguson recalled, "Early evening he phoned me and he was crying and he says, 'Alex, I can’t take it. I've given my word to Chelsea and I'm not going to break my word.' The reason he gave to me I could understand, but I was disappointed" [2].
After withdrawing from Manchester United, Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013, where he won another Premier League title and League Cup before being sacked in December 2015 [1, 2, 3].
Mourinho eventually became Manchester United manager in May 2016, winning the League Cup and Europa League during a two-and-a-half-year spell before being dismissed in December 2018 [1].
Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles and 26 years at Manchester United set a high benchmark that Mourinho aimed to follow. Despite the dramatic pullout in 2013, Mourinho's second stint at Manchester United brought him silverware at the club.
Mourinho's first official appointment at Manchester United in 2016 marked a fresh chapter after the emotional events of 2013 [1].
