Jurgen Klopp‘s agent has claimed Bayern Munich were “very close” to signing the German in 2019 after Liverpool had won the Champions League and were bound for the league title.
Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke, has been in the news cycle early this week for his comments relating to the ex-Liverpool boss, including claims of turning down Man United and Chelsea.
He also said in his interview with Transfermarkt that Bayern came “very close” to signing Klopp on two occasions, first in 2008, and later in 2019 while he was at Anfield.
“Bayern came very close to signing us twice,” Kosicke claimed.
“Once in 2008, Uli Hoeness wanted Jurgen, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wanted Jurgen Klinsmann.
Anfield, Liverpool, UK. 7th May, 2019. UEFA Champions League football, semi final second leg, Liverpool versus FC Barcelona; Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after the final whistle with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool in front of the Kop as they sing You'll Never Walk Alone Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News
“And after Niko Kovac (who left Bayern in November 2019), when Jurgen was at Liverpool, they approached us again.
“Nobody thought things would be so successful with Hansi Flick. There just wasn’t the right momentum.”
The timing of the second approach coincided with the peak of Klopp’s success at Liverpool, as his team had lifted the Champions League in June 2019, followed quickly by the Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Liverpool also held a commanding 11-point lead at the top of the table by the end of that November, going on to lift the title in record time despite the COVID lockdown.
The thought of Klopp stepping out on Liverpool for Bayern at that time would be unimaginable, as it proved, having readily spoken of honouring the deals he signed.
He was under contract at Liverpool at the time, having signed a six-year deal in 2016, which he extended further in 2022 until 2026, though he would leave before the end of that contract.
Klopp admitted in 2022 that Bayern had repeatedly made attempts to lure him to the Allianz, but the journey at Anfield was more attractive than the likelihood of “more titles” if he left.
It remains to be seen if Bayern will ever realise the vision of Klopp in their dugout, but that would first require luring him back into management, which Kosicke currently can’t see happening as he’s “very happy” at Red Bull.