The Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was left “in tears” after being betrayed by the man who held his current job for 26 years, Sir Alex Ferguson, according to a new book.
High-profile Spanish journalist Diego Torres has made the claims in his new release ‘Prepare to Lose: the Mourinho Era’ which covers the Portuguese coach’s time at Real Madrid.
Ferguson left his post after a history-making 26-year stint and Mourinho, according to Torres, felt that the fine relationship the two had meant the Scot would give him his backing as a successor.
“Mourinho thought that Ferguson was, besides his ally, also his friend and godfather,” writes the Madrid-based author.
“He was convinced that they were tied by a relationship of genuine trust.
“He thought that his fabulous collection of titles constituted an ‘endorsement’ unreachable to any other contenders.
“When he knew that Ferguson had chosen Moyes, the Everton coach, he was struck by a terrible disbelief.”
The book claims that, in a colourfully illustrated scene, Mourinho was left: “Glued to his mobile phone in search of clarifications, on the night of the 7th and the morning of the 8th of May, tucked away in the Sheraton Mirasierra hotel.”
He was left stuck to his phone though, as the call he wanted never came. Moyes was unveiled as the new manager of the club on the 9th of May. The idea of his phone going off with the word from Manchester that he wanted is an interesting alternative history to ponder.
Ferguson’s heir apparent Moyes wasn’t to last a season in the role, of course, while Mourinho eventually found his way to Old Trafford via a second spell with Chelsea.