# Jose Mourinho agreed to replace Ferguson—then U-turn URL: https://technosports.co.in/jose-mourinho-agrees-ferguson-agreed-turn/ Published: 2026-08-10 Updated: 2026-08-10 Author: Reetam Bodhak José Mourinho revealed he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, only to reverse course in a last-minute U-turn that he says came through a “tearful” phone call and a promise he couldn’t ignore. It’s one of those football “what if” stories that still shapes how fans interpret ambition, loyalties, and the timing of power moves—especially when United were searching for a post-Ferguson identity. Worth noting: Mourinho’s version of events is laid out in the Netflix film *Mourinho*, turning a long-settled managerial timeline into a human drama about regret and responsibility. ![Jose Mourinho](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/jhoshhddmmd-1024x570.jpg) ## How did Jose Mourinho end up agreeing to replace Ferguson in 2013? Mourinho said that after his first spell at Real Madrid, he accepted an offer to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, and that he even signed an agreement in 2013. According to the reporting, both sides had talks and reached an agreement for Mourinho to make the move after his Real Madrid stint, before Ferguson’s retirement was final. The key twist is that Mourinho frames his acceptance as contractual and moral—he believed he had given his word, even if the decision would later collide with another job opportunity. Here’s the thing: once Ferguson stepped away, that agreement became the story United fans wished had played out differently. ## What caused the U-turn—was it loyalty to Chelsea? Mourinho’s explanation for the U-turn is starkly personal: he decided to return to Chelsea, which he described as his “original English club,” after giving them his word. In other words, the offer to take over at Old Trafford became the “next chapter,” but his responsibility to Chelsea pulled him back in the moment. The plan with United did not collapse quietly; it was reversed via a tearful call between Mourinho and Ferguson, as Mourinho’s account of the U-turn emphasizes emotion, not strategy. That said, the timing matters because Ferguson had already decided to retire, leaving the managerial chessboard exposed and unstable. ## How did Manchester United react when Mourinho changed his mind? Once Mourinho pulled out, Manchester United appointed **David Moyes** as Ferguson’s successor instead. It was a direct consequence: the succession path had been disrupted, and United moved quickly to replace the man who had set the standard at Old Trafford for over a generation. Ferguson had won **13 Premier League titles over 26 years** before retiring in 2013, so the gap wasn’t just about a coach—it was about replacing a footballing institution. Moyes later became the cautionary tale of that transition, getting sacked **nine months into a six-year contract**, according to the report. ## What happened to Mourinho after the United deal was scrapped? Mourinho went on to manage Manchester United from **2016 to 2019**, and he delivered silverware by winning the **UEFA Europa League** with the club. The contrast is what makes this story sting: the agreement to “replace Ferguson” wasn’t a one-time fantasy—it was real enough to be formalized, then abandoned, and only later revisited when the circumstances suited him. If we focus on the human side, Mourinho’s career arc shows both sides of the same coin: he could walk away from a grand offer, then come back with experience and authority. For United, that delayed arrival shaped a post-Ferguson era defined by instability first, then a partial return to winning credibility. **Verdict: Mourinho’s U-turn wasn’t about power—he says it was about keeping his word to Chelsea, even when it cost him the chance to succeed Ferguson.** ## What’s next for the story—why does this matter now? This revelation matters now because it reframes how fans interpret one of the biggest managerial pivots in Premier League history: Ferguson’s retirement and the scramble that followed. When a coach later insists that he had already agreed to replace Ferguson, the fallout feels less random and more like a missed convergence. It also invites a different takeaway about decision-making at the elite level—contracts, relationships, and reputation can all pull in different directions at the worst possible time. Worth noting: as Mourinho continues to narrate his own timeline in media, that “agreed then U-turned” moment risks becoming more than trivia—it becomes a lens for judging how United’s transition era unfolded. ## Related Articles - [Special One Jose](https://technosports.co.in/jose-mourinhos-new-rulebook-real-madrid/) - [Milan Man United](https://technosports.co.in/milan-vs-man-united-match-preview/) - [Manchester United Hand](https://technosports.co.in/manchester-united-marcus-rashford-no-14-shirt/) --- ## FAQs ### What did Mourinho “reveal” exactly? He said he agreed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager after his first Real Madrid spell, then reversed course and returned to Chelsea after accepting their offer. ### Did Mourinho truly “agree” to replace Ferguson? Yes—Mourinho described that an agreement was in place in 2013, and the underlying talks between Mourinho and Ferguson were confirmed in the reporting. ### Why did the replacement plan fail? Mourinho says his decision to return to Chelsea after giving his word triggered the U-turn, culminating in a tearful call with Ferguson. ### Did Manchester United appoint Mourinho anyway? No—after the change of mind, United appointed **David Moyes** as Ferguson’s successor first, and Mourinho later returned to manage United in **2016–2019**. ## Jose mourinho agrees ferguson: SEO If you’re trying to answer the headline question—*could Mourinho have replaced Ferguson?*—the most honest version is: he says he did agree, then chose Chelsea, and United built a different post-Ferguson future as a result. Source: [Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/jose-mourinho-man-united-alex-ferguson-replacement-b3030206.html) Jose Mourinho agrees Ferguson