Jose Mourinho tearfully reneged on his decision to replace Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss due to his love for Chelsea.
The Special One has revealed he signed a contract to take over the legendary Scotsman in 2013 when he stepped down after 27 years of service.
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At the time, Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid, where he would later have his contract ripped up by mutual consent following the Copa del Rey final defeat to Atletico Madrid.
As for United, Ferguson announced his decision to retire on May 8, 2013, with Everton boss David Moyes named as his replacement a day later.
But in a new three-part Mourinho Netflix docuseries which is released on August 11, the iconic Portuguese boss declared he had first dibs.
Though he was left a blubbering mess when informing Ferguson of his decision to shun the chance when beloved club Chelsea came calling – six years after he was sacked at Stamford Bridge.
No way, Jose
Mourinho, who would eventually go on to manage United in 2016, said: “I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period there is something nobody knows.
“I think I can say because I don’t hurt anyone with the truth, and I think the objective of this work that we are doing is to tell the truth.
“When I left Real Madrid, I signed with Manchester United to go to Manchester United after Sir Alex.”
He added: “I was, of course, very flattered, because Manchester United has an incredible appeal.
“When I say Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, I have to say that Manchester United is very, very close.
“But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club.
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“I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I’m loved.”
Are you Fer real?
Ferguson meanwhile recalled: “[Mourinho] was offered a job, yes. I sat him down and explained the situation.
“And as far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then within hours, it changed.
“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.”
Mourinho, who won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups, would bring more silverware back to west London during his second spell.
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Another Premier League and League Cup medal was added to his trophy cabinet, before he was axed two-and-a-half-years later in December 2015.
And Mourinho has insisted he does not regret his decision to initially spurn United, as he stated: “For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic.
“But I don’t regret because it was a decision that I made with my heart.
“And I think it is nature that says something that when you do something for love, you are never doing anything wrong. I think it’s nature. I did it for love.
“I went back with the feeling of, yes, I go home, but with big responsibility because what I did before is history, and you don’t want to destroy your legacy.”
Five months after his Chelsea exit, United were back in for Mourinho, where he this time jumped at the opportunity.
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In his first season at the Theatre of Dreams, he guided the club to Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield glory, before being axed in December 2018.
And this summer saw Mourinho return to another club in Real Madrid, with club president Florentino Perez whisking him in for a second crack 13 years after his initial departure.
