Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly praised former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as the Old Trafford chief looks to find a replacement for Ruben Amorim
09:47, 07 Jan 2026
Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
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Jurgen Klopp has made his feelings clear on managing Manchester United in the past(Image: PA)
Manchester United's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a fan of Jurgen Klopp and everything he achieved at bitter rivals Liverpool.
But it's doubtful that his admiration alone will persuade the German to make a shock switch to Old Trafford. Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, the focus has shifted to managers currently without a club, with ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca's name being mentioned.
However, former Liverpool manager Klopp seems a non-starting option for several reasons. "Klopp has this ability to drive his players to a frenzy," Ratcliffe commented in March 2024, following his confirmed arrival at Manchester United. "Total commitment on the pitch. And, you know, that's one of the things a good coach can do."
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made his admiration for Jurgen Klopp clear(Image: PA)
When asked if he might consider reaching out to Klopp, knowing that the German had decided to leave Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season, Ratcliffe quickly dismissed the reporter who posed the question, retorting: "You can't ask questions like that".
While Ratcliffe hasn't shied away from hiring staff with ties to rival clubs, most notably appointing former City Football Group executive Omar Berrada as CEO, recruiting Klopp would be a different story completely. The ex-Borussia Dortmund manager has already hinted that he wouldn't consider such a move.
"If you ask me, 'Will you ever work as a manager again?' I would say now no. But I don't know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation," Klopp declared when announcing his Liverpool departure. "What I know definitely – I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100%.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
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Jurgen Klopp became a Liverpool legend during his time at the club(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
"That's not possible. My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn't. I couldn't for a second think about it. There's no chance. This is part of my life, we are part of the family, we feel home here. There's no chance to do that.
"But all the rest, will I ever work again? Of course, I know myself, I cannot just sit around. I will find something else maybe to do. But I will not manage a club or a country at least for a year, that's not possible, I cannot do that and I don't want to. That's all."
Klopp has so far remained true to his word, accepting a position as Red Bull's worldwide football chief whilst giving no hint of a managerial comeback. Even if he considers a return to the touchline, a United switch appears ruled out, with the German previously dismissing claims he harboured dreams of managing at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada (centre) and Technical Director Jason Wilcox
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co pulled the trigger on Amorim following his post-match comments(Image: PA)
"I really like Eckhard Krautzun but when I think too far in the past I am not 100 per cent sure what is right or wrong but it is still funny. I am sure he thinks it was like this," Klopp remarked in 2017 following comments from his former Mainz chief Krautzun regarding those alleged United aspirations.
"How could I, as a very average player at Mainz, say to my manager, 'By the way, if I become a manager I would love to manage Manchester United'. Maybe people think I am a little bit crazy but I am not that crazy. I never thought about something like this.
"[Krautzun] was a big admirer, and is still, of Sir Alex Ferguson. In our first meeting he was wearing a jumper of Manchester United when he came in as a new coach. Maybe he forgot. There are a few funny stories, unfortunately a few things are not exact but still funny. I had fun when I read it but not all of it is exactly like this."
Jurgen Klopp speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast
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Jurgen Klopp speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast(Image: YouTube/Diary of a CEO)
Whilst any prospect of Klopp heading to United now appears utterly unthinkable given his Anfield allegiances, the Red Devils did make overtures back in 2013. The club was hunting for Ferguson's replacement at the time, whilst Klopp was guiding Dortmund towards a Champions League final appearance.
"In the year when Sir Alex retired, they spoke to me," Klopp revealed to Diary of a CEO in 2025. "Of course, they were interested. At that time, I would've been interested - I was young, I had a sensational team at Dortmund. They probably thought, 'What is he doing there?'".
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He continued: "United tried [to approach me]. It was the wrong time, wrong moment. I had a contract at Dortmund and wouldn't have left for anybody.
"There were some things in the conversations that I didn't like. The idea was that big - 'We get all the players we want' - and I was sitting there thinking, this is not my project."