Jurgen Klopp was targeted by both Manchester United and Chelsea to take over as manager after his departure from Liverpool, the ex-Anfield boss' agent has said
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp could have managed Manchester United or England(Image: (Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
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Jurgen Klopp rejected an approach from Manchester United and could have become England manager after Gareth Southgate’s departure, his agent has said. Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager in the summer of 2024, after almost nine years in charge, to take a break from management.
The German has since become global head of soccer for the Red Bull group, and his long-time agent, Marc Kosicke, has revealed that although he has fielded interest from United and Chelsea, his client has no interest in returning to management. Asked about the 58-year-old 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."
Although Kosicke claims Chelsea made an enquiry, that is something that is being denied by the Stamford Bridge club. In an interview with Transfermarkt, Kosicke also claimed that Bayern Munich made an approach for the German just months before he led Liverpool to the Premier League title.
"Bayern came very close to signing us twice," he said. “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."
Jurgen Klopp watches Liverpool warm up at Old Trafford
Jurgen Klopp watches Liverpool warm up at Old Trafford
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Speaking last month, Klopp reiterated that he does not expect to return to management despite being linked with Real Madrid. He said: "I don't expect to change my mind, but I don't know.
"We're building a house right now and my missus wanted to have a really big trophy room. There was another small room and I said, 'This is enough because we know how many trophies we have, we will not add any.'
"It might sound arrogant, but I know I can coach a football team. But I don't need to do it until my last day."
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