Jurgen Klopp stepped away from the dugout at the end of his nine-year spell in charge of Liverpool in May 2024, before taking up his current role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Football the following January.
Despite moving into an executive position, the 58-year-old continues to be linked with some of Europe’s biggest managerial vacancies.
Most recently, the fomer Dortmund manager was touted as a potential successor to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid following Alonso’s dismissal. However, former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa was ultimately appointed as interim head coach.
While downplaying suggestions that Klopp could return to management any time soon, his agent, Marc Kosicke, has revealed the extent of interest in the former Liverpool boss.
Kosicke confirmed that both Manchester United and Chelsea made approaches for Klopp after his departure from Anfield. In addition, Bayern Munich previously attempted to lure him away during his time at Liverpool, even when the Reds were reigning Champions League winners and on course to lift the Premier League title.
Klopp, however, remained committed to Liverpool before eventually deciding to bring his successful Anfield era to a close in 2024. Asked about Klopp returning to the dugout, Kosicke said: “At the moment, I don’t see that happening, because he’s very happy with his new role and in this environment.
“Maybe at some point he’ll say he needs to smell the locker room again. But at the moment he’s very, very happy in his role. Before joining Red Bull, Jurgen could have coached the USA or England national teams.
“Probably also Germany, if Julian Nagelsmann hadn’t already been there. Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England.
“These inquiries haven’t stopped. Jurgen has undergone a metamorphosis, moving away from being a coach with a broad perspective towards more management responsibilities.”
He added: “Bayern came very close to signing us twice. Once in 2008: Uli Hoeness wanted Jurgen Klopp, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wanted Jurgen Klinsmann.
“And after Niko Kovac (who was sacked in November 2019), when Jurgen was at Liverpool, they approached us again. Nobody thought things would be so successful with (eventual Bayern boss) Hansi Flick. There just wasn’t the right momentum.”
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