Jose Mourinho finally reveals the contract he signed that 'nobody knows' about in Netflix documentary

Jose Mourinho has revealed he signed to become Manchester United manager in 2013 only to inform Sir Alex Ferguson he could not take the job.

Mourinho had a three-year spell in charge of United between 2016 and 2019 but in a new revelation from his upcoming Netflix documentary, the Real Madrid boss has finally admitted that he rejected the chance to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson when he retired.

Mourinho ended his first spell with Real in 2013 and completed a fairytale return to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea. But for the first time ever, the 'Special One' has disclosed how he was on the verge of replacing Ferguson before David Moyes got the call-up

In episode three of 'Mourinho' on Netflix, Mourinho explained: "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 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 [Ferguson]."

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Confirming the approach in the series, 13-time Premier League winner Ferguson said: "He was offered the job, yes. I sat him down and explained the situation. As far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then it changed.

"Early evening, he phoned me and he was crying. He said, '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."

Jose Mourinho explains why he turned down Sir Alex Ferguson's offer

Mourinho said he was "very flattered" to have had the offer from Ferguson and United, citing their "incredible appeal" as one of the giants of football.

However, above all, the Portuguese felt his love and affinity for Chelsea was so strong that he could not ignore it.

Mourinho added: "I think this is more powerful than love for football and fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved.

"For me to lose the chance to be the coach to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson was dramatic but I don't regret it because it was a decision I made with my heart.

"When you are doing something for love, you are never doing something wrong. I think it is love. 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."

Mourinho won a third Premier League with Chelsea, as well as the Carabao Cup in 2015. His second spell ended later that year after Chelsea lost nine out of 16 Premier League games, a loss to Leicester City proving to be the final straw.

He did eventually get the United job in 2016, this time taking over from Louis van Gaal. Mourinho won both the Carabao Cup and Europa League in his first season and finished second to Manchester City in his second season.

Mourinho did not complete a third campaign as he was dismissed on 18 December 2019 and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He managed a third Premier League side in Spurs in his next job, before taking charge of Roma, Fenerbahce and Benfica and finally returning to Real this summer.

'Mourinho' arrives on Netflix on Tuesday 11 August.