Manchester United wanted Jose Mourinho (right) to replace Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013
The description from more than one person connected to Manchester United in 2013 about the failure to secure Jose Mourinho as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement.
Confirmation of something that has been rumoured for many years has come in a new documentary series about Mourinho's career, which is on Netflix from 11 August.
The actual decision reversal was fast, "days", one source has told BBC Sport.
However, another has explained the process to secure Mourinho's services had been going on for weeks.
Meetings had been held in Madrid and London, with Ferguson stunning Mourinho, someone he liked and had plenty of admiration for, by telling the charismatic Portuguese he was going to stand down at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.
Very quickly, the negotiations moved to terms. Agreement was reached. Then it wasn't.
Ferguson said: "One night, he phoned me and he was crying 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 Chosen One banner supporting David Moyes as Manchester United manager; but he wasn't
Mourinho cited family reasons for his decision. Some connected to United are still dubious that is true.
It is correct the 63-year-old has a family home in London and had promised to return when he was initially sacked by Chelsea in 2007.
He also had a positive relationship with Chelsea's former owner Roman Abramovich, which presumably had an impact.
For a short time, though, United thought they had got their man.
It is still viewed as a significant turning point in their history.
Ferguson was leaving in the same summer as highly respected chief executive David Gill.
It was felt Mourinho had the broad shoulders needed to manage the transition.
