10 Aug 2026 13:03:44
Interesting that it’s come out that Mourinho was in line to replace SAF before choosing Chelsea. I always felt and have maintained I thought Mourinho was the only person arrogant and confident to step in to SAF’s shoes and not be overwhelmed by it. How things could have been.
10 Aug 2026 13:43:26
It's telling that Fergie spoke to Pep, Klopp, and Jose about taking over, but they all turned him down. I suspect that they could see the age profile of the squad, and didn't think the club had the ambition for a proper rebuild.
If Jose took the job then, I feel he would have got another season from those players.
Possibly a title, at least in the mix. But he would have been frustrated with the lack of spending in season 2 and would have gone after that.
Still, it shows that Moyes was nowhere near first choice and explains why Fergie made such a big deal about supporting him.
10 Aug 2026 15:33:33
I think the problem with any of those managers was the smarts to know that following Fergie was always going to be a poisoned chalice. No matter how they did, unless they were winning back-to-back Champions Leagues they would not add to their reputation or career path.
We could have been a little more astute and known that, and understood it, and had a fall-guy approach with a replacement in 2 or 3 years.
That way you're not following the man, you are following the man that followed the man. Much more attractive to those with proper egos and capabilities to match.
10 Aug 2026 16:09:22
According to the documentary, Mourinho had actually accepted the job, but then called SAF in tears to renege on the deal, choosing to go back to Chelsea.
Things undoubtedly would not have been the same. My guess is that, had Mourinho made it through the first season, we would have acquired very different players.
He would still have had to deal with the world's most incompetent CEO from a footballing perspective. So I imagine, probably not more than 2 years in, he would have tired of working for a club that was being run by clowns, only interested in money.