Jose Moruinho has admitted that he was never offered Manchester United job after Sir Alex Ferguson retired as he had already made up his mind to join Chelsea.
The Portuguese tactician started his second spell at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2013 after spending three years at Real Madrid. The 52-year-old was reportedly one of the candidates linked with the Old Trafford job after the Scot decided to step down from his post following the end of the 2012-13 season.
Ferguson guided the Red Devils to the 20th league title in his final season and played a key role, along with other board members at the club in appointing his successor. The great elder of Old Trafford revealed several other managers were approached and their unavailability led in United naming David Moyes as Ferguson’s successor.
“When I announced my retirement, do you honestly believe that one man could decide the future of Manchester United? That’s absolute nonsense. There was a good process. They’re a professional football club. They know what they’re doing, the Glazers, David Gill,” Ferguson said.
“José was going back to Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti was going to Real Madrid, Jürgen Klopp had signed a contract with Dortmund, Louis van Gaal was staying with Holland for the World Cup.”
“The other thing was I took Pep Guardiola for dinner in New York in the September and I had no idea I was ever going to retire and I said to him give me a call and tell what you’re going to do. No answer. I don’t think we made a mistake at all.”
According to respected Spanish journalist Diego Torres, who writes for El País, he said in September 2013 that Mourinho broke down after he was overlooked for United job. However, Chelsea manager has played down any suggestions and revealed he had his heart set on returning to the west London club.
“Every manager in the world looks at Man United as a huge club but I wanted to come to Chelsea and we didn’t bring that to the table because we were so open and he knows so much about myself,” Mourinho said during an interview for a new BBC documentary, Sir Alex Ferguson: Secrets of Success.
The Portuguese tactician guided the Blues to the league title last season. However, the Stamford Bridge outfit have struggled in the league this season as they have managed just two wins from eight league matches.
Despite the poor start, Chelsea have publicly backed Mourinho and has hinted the former Inter Milan manager will still be at the job at the club.
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