José Mourinho has revealed in a new Netflix documentary that he signed a contract in 2013 to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, only to tearfully break the agreement and return to Chelsea instead. Ferguson corroborates the account in the film, recalling a tense phone call in which Mourinho, in tears, told him he had already given his word to Chelsea. The revelation sheds new light on one of the most consequential managerial transitions in Premier League history, since United's fortunes have never fully recovered from Ferguson's departure.

Mourinho said he was "flattered" by United's approach after leaving Real Madrid but felt compelled by loyalty and love for Chelsea, where he had previously won two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups. United instead appointed David Moyes, who was sacked after just ten months, while Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, won another title and League Cup, and was eventually sacked in December 2015. Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid again, finally took charge at Old Trafford in 2016 for a two-and-a-half-year spell, saying he does not regret his 2013 decision because it was made "with his heart".