Sliding doors - when Mourinho said yes, then no, to Man Utd
The inside story of Manchester United's attempt to get Jose Mourinho to replace Sir Alex Ferguson, why he said 'no' and the impact of that decision.
In 2013, Manchester United faced a significant turning point when they initially expressed interest in Jose Mourinho as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. However, the decision was swiftly reversed, and David Moyes eventually took over. According to multiple sources, the conflict arose when Ferguson informed Mourinho that he would be leaving the club at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Despite Mourinho's admiration for Ferguson, he cited family reasons for declining the offer. The situation was further complicated by Ferguson's promise to return to Chelsea when he was initially sacked in 2007. United's decision to pursue Mourinho was viewed as a pivotal moment in their history, as Ferguson was preparing to leave the club, and a new structure needed to be put in place.
However, Moyes' tenure as the new manager was unsuccessful, with only six players from the 2012-13 title-winning squad remaining in Mourinho's first season. Mourinho's time at United was marked by controversy, including falling out with players and accusations of not being fully supported by the club's hierarchy. Despite winning the Europa League and EFL Cup in his first season, Mourinho left the club in 2015, amidst a period of decline.
Some believe that Mourinho's presence could have had a more significant impact if he had followed Ferguson directly, as his personality suggested a greater willingness to take on the task of succeeding the Scot.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
