Jose Mourinho has revealed he had agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013 before making an emotional U-turn and returning to Chelsea instead.
The extraordinary revelation sheds new light on one of the biggest managerial decisions in Premier League history, with David Moyes ultimately handed the daunting task of replacing Ferguson at Old Trafford.
Mourinho, who would eventually become United manager three years later, has now claimed he had initially committed himself to the job after leaving Real Madrid.
Speaking in his new three-part Netflix documentary, MOURINHO, the Portuguese coach said the agreement had remained secret for more than a decade.
"I go to Chelsea in 2013. But in that period, there is something that nobody knows," Mourinho said.
"I think I can say because I don't hurt anyone with the truth. And I think the objective of the 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."
Ferguson has backed up Mourinho's stunning account, confirming he personally spoke to the former Chelsea boss about becoming his successor following his decision to retire after 26 glittering years in charge.
"He was offered the job, yes," Ferguson said.
"I sat him down and explained the situation, and as far as I was concerned, he was accepting. And then within hours, it changed."
According to Ferguson, Mourinho later telephoned him in tears after deciding he could not break a commitment he had already made to Chelsea.
"Early evening, he phoned me, and he was crying," Ferguson added.
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"He said, '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 can understand, but I was disappointed."
Mourinho had endured a turbulent conclusion to his first spell at Real Madrid and admitted his experiences in Spain influenced his thinking.
Despite describing United as being close to Real Madrid in terms of global stature, Mourinho felt he needed to return somewhere he already had an emotional connection.
"I was of course very flattered because Man United has an incredible appeal," he said.
"But one thing is love for football, and another thing is love for a certain club. I think this is more powerful than love for football, and fundamentally after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved."
Mourinho admitted sacrificing the opportunity to directly replace Ferguson was "dramatic", but insists he has no regrets over choosing Chelsea.
"I don't regret because it was a decision I made with my heart," he added. "I did it for love."
His decision ultimately changed the course of United's modern history.
Moyes was appointed instead but lasted only 10 months, while the Red Devils have still not added another Premier League title since Ferguson's retirement.
Mourinho returned to Chelsea and won another Premier League crown before being sacked in December 2015.
He finally arrived at Old Trafford in 2016, winning the Europa League and League Cup and later guiding United to second place in the Premier League.
But his reign unravelled during his third campaign amid disappointing results and tensions with players including Paul Pogba, leading to his dismissal in December 2018.
Mourinho is now back at Madrid, having replaced Alvaro Arbeloa earlier this summer.
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