Jose Mourinho revealed in a documentary that he signed a contract to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013 but tearfully turned back on the deal and returned to Chelsea.
The football world was rocked when the Scottish great announced he was retiring after overseeing a 13th Premier League title triumph during a spell of unrivalled dominance at Old Trafford.
United have failed to return to those heights since Ferguson stepped down, with successor David Moyes sacked after only 10 months in charge.
Mourinho later took over as Manchester United manager in 2016, spending 2½ years in charge, but revealed in a new Netflix documentary "Mourinho" about his life that he had agreed to the role earlier.
"I go to Chelsea in 2013, but in that period, there is something nobody knows," Mourinho said in the documentary. "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."
Mourinho continued: "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.
"I think this is more powerful than love for football and, fundamentally, after Real Madrid, I needed to feel that I'm loved."
Ferguson was interviewed for the new documentary and admits that he was under the illusion Mourinho was accepting the offer, but the situation changed in a matter of hours.
"Early evening, he phoned me, and he was crying," the United great said. "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 had a strong bond with Chelsea after leading them to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during an unforgettable first spell from 2004 to 2007.
Mourinho overcame differences with owner Roman Abramovich to return to Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid, winning another league crown and League Cup before being fired in December 2015.
"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," Mourinho, now back in charge of Real Madrid, said.
"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."
Mourinho's first LaLiga game as Real Madrid coach is at Espanyol on Aug. 22 as he tries to help the team rebound from a 2025-26 campaign that returned no trophies.
Information from PA was used in this report.
