Jurgen Klopp says Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United approached him about taking over the bench at Old Trafford.
Few managers were more sought after than Jurgen Klopp after he decided to leave Borussia Dortmund. The German tactician had become one of the most recognizable names and faces in the game, and had been pursued by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
However, even before he opted to leave Dortmund, Klopp had been approached about a lucrative Premier League job. According to the current Liverpool boss, Sir Alex Ferguson had pursued him about potentially taking over the helm at Manchester United.
"“We spoke,” the Liverpool manager said, via The Guardian. “We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot. It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest. There was a time [when United were interested] but I could not leave Dortmund. That is it. You are in April and you are in the middle of the planning for next season. You have this player and this player and this player who is coming in but then you are not there any more? That doesn’t work. Not in my life anyway.“I did not hear about a real offer but, if there was, I could not have done it. I first had to finish the job with Dortmund and then think about other things. Maybe that is not the smart way but that is my way. Of course I was loyal to Dortmund. It was the same at Mainz.”"
Klopp must be given credit for staying loyal to the Bundesliga outfit that helped him earn such a strong reputation and where he spent seven seasons. The 48-year-old helped lead Dortmund to consecutive Bundesliga titles, a Pokal Cup, a UEFA Champions League final, and two German Super Cups. He announced that he was leaving the club last April, deciding it was time to move on.
He turned down several offers in the summer, before choosing to take over at Anfield with Liverpool in October, replacing Brendan Rodgers. Currently, his club sit in ninth in the Premier League table, with 31 points from 21 matches. They will host Manchester United on Sunday morning at 9:05 a.m. ET.