Jose Mourinho says he agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United after leaving Real Madrid but ultimately chose to return to Chelsea. The 63-year-old coach, now in his second spell at Real Madrid, discussed the decision in a new Netflix documentary series about his career. Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles during 26 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013, confirmed that Mourinho had been offered the job. Mourinho felt unable to break his word to Chelsea, where he had won consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006. Ferguson recalled Mourinho telephoning him one night in tears and explaining that he had given Chelsea his word. Although disappointed, Ferguson said he understood the reason. Mourinho said Manchester United had “incredible appeal,” but after leaving Real Madrid he needed to feel loved by a particular club. He described losing the opportunity to replace Ferguson as dramatic but said he did not regret a decision made with his heart. Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013 and won his third Premier League title and the League Cup. He eventually took charge of Manchester United in May 2016, replacing Louis van Gaal. During two and a half years at Old Trafford, he won the Europa League and League Cup before being dismissed in December 2018 following a slump in results. The documentary also examines Mourinho’s difficult relationship with former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who hired and dismissed him twice. Mourinho said Abramovich became increasingly involved in football matters during his first spell and that Andriy Shevchenko was proposed because of connections with the owner and agents. The Ukraine striker joined Chelsea in May 2006 for a then club-record fee of about £30 million and scored nine league goals in 48 appearances over three years. Mourinho said he had not wanted Shevchenko and would have preferred Samuel Eto’o. After Abramovich dismissed him in September 2007, Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge with Inter Milan in February 2010 for a Champions League last-16 tie. Inter beat Chelsea 2-1 and later won the competition. Mourinho said he regarded the match as a personal contest with Abramovich and needed revenge. He argued that football belongs to its players, coaches and supporters. Mourinho also reflected on his first spell at Real Madrid. In his opening two seasons, he helped the club challenge Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona and won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. Real amassed 100 points in 2011-12, which remains a La Liga record. His third season ended acrimoniously, however, and he was dismissed after the 2012-13 campaign with Real finishing 15 points behind Barcelona. Part of the dressing-room conflict involved Mourinho’s deteriorating relationship with captain Iker Casillas. The goalkeeper made 725 appearances during 25 years at Real and won three Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns. Casillas said their relationship became extremely cold and eventually broke down. Mourinho accused the players of being spoiled, citing requests for additional holidays, later training because of Madrid traffic and an end to pre-match hotel stays. The account gives Somali supporters a view of the forces beyond the pitch: how promises, player relationships and an owner’s influence can redirect the course of major clubs.