Klopp revealed why he turned down Manchester United
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 20.10.25. | 17:35
The Red Devils first approached him when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement
While he was working at Mainz, only true Bundesliga enthusiasts noticed him. When he went to Dortmund, the whole world fell in love with him. At Liverpool, he became a true legend. And after nine years at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp said: enough of the spotlight — time to do something a bit calmer. He took on the role of global football director at the Red Bull company and says he doesn’t miss coaching at all. Yet his insights now might be even more interesting than when he was sitting on the Reds’ bench.
Maybe that’s because he speaks more freely now. Or maybe it’s because his time at Liverpool was actually a matter of chance — as it came very close to Klopp taking over the bench of their bitter rival, Manchester United.
“In the year when Sir Alex retired, they spoke to me. Of course, they were interested at one point. At that time, I would have been interested, I was young — I had a sensational team at Dortmund. They probably thought, "What is he doing there?" Later on I heard that my players — James Milner and Adam Lallana — they flew to Real Madrid when Dortmund had a semi-final there in the Champions League just to watch us play. "What is Dortmund doing? What football that is?". I mean, you cannot get a bigger compliment“ he revealed speaking on Steve Bartlett's ‘Diary of a CEO‘ podcast.
Klopp then revealed that the Red Devils approached him first but that he turned them down and explained it wasn‘t about money.
“United tried to approach me. It was wrong time, wrong moment. I had a contract at Dortmund and wouldn’t have left for anybody. They wanted a new manager and I was one of a few options I think. There were some things in the conversations that I didn't like. The idea was that big — "We get all the players we want, we get him, we get him" — and I was sitting there thinking this is not my project. It was the wrong time but on top of that it was not my project“ explained the German.
He continued in the same direction, explaining that it he became the coach, he wouldn‘t bring back Paul Pogba or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I didn't want to bring back Pogba, he was a sensational player but these things don't work usually. Or Cristiano, we all know he's the best player, together with Lionel Messi, in the world, but bringing back never helps. In 2013, it was not about Cristiano, maybe about Paul, I'm not even sure, but the idea is we bring the best players together and then let’s go“ remembers former Liverpool boss.
Since the host Steve Bartlett is Manchester United fan, the topic was still about them and Klopp said:
“Jose Mourinho finishing second, remember that. At that time, second was not good enough and now you're not even close to that. That's not a Man United story, it's a football story. It's always like that. In the world of football, you win and you are the greatest. You lose and you know nothing about the game. You draw, you're boring“.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8
Saturday
Nottingham Forest - Chelsea 0-3 (0-0)
/Acheampong 49, Neto 52, James 84/
Brighton - Newcastle 2-1 (1-0)
/Welbeck 41, 84 - Woltemade 76/
Burnley - Leeds 2-0 (1-0)
/Ugochukwu 18, Tchaouna 68/
Crystal Palace - Bournemouth 3-3 (0-2)
/Mateta 64, 69, 90+7 pen - Kroupi 7, 38, Christie 89/
Manchester City - Everton 2-0 (0-0)
/Haaland 58, 63/
Sunderland - Wolverhampton 2-0 (1-0)
/Mukiele 16, Krejci 90+3 og/
Fulham - Arsenal 0-1 (0-0)
/Trossard 58/
Sunday
Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-1)
/Betancur 5 - Rogers 37, Buendia 77/
Liverpool - Manchester Utd. 1-2 (0-1)
/Mbeumo 2, Maguire 84 - Gakpo 78/
Monday
22.00: (2.55) West Ham (3.30) Brentford (2.80)
***odds are subject to change***
