Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's agent has revealed that the Football Association touched bases with the German before ultimately settling on his compatriot Thomas Tuchel
Jurgen Klopp pictured during an interview at RB Leipzig's headquarters
Jurgen Klopp's agent has claimed he was offered the England job before Thomas Tuchel(Image: RONNY HARTMANN, AFP via Getty Images)
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When England appointed Thomas Tuchel in October 2024, it came after a process which focused on one thing above any other...big-name hunting.
After all of the success under Gareth Southgate, the Football Association decided that a blockbuster appointment could be the final piece to end generations of hurt.
Southgate was the shining example of the FA system and the exemplary work being done at St George's Park. But for the biggest World Cup ever, England wanted an A-list manager.
Tuchel was the man ultimately tasked with English football's toughest job, but only after a number of his contemporaries were sounded out. Pep Guardiola was heavily courted and according to his representative, so was his biggest Premier League rival Jurgen Klopp.
The ex-Liverpool manager's agent has suggested his client was actually offered the job before his compatriot was hired, with Klopp deciding to stay true to his word and staying away from the dugout.
But how would the Three Lions have looked under Klopp? Mirror Sport's Chief Football Writer John Cross and Chief Sports Writer Andy Dunn have their say and decide whether England would have had a better chance this summer with Klopp rather than Tuchel...
What would Klopp's England look like and what would be different?
You can replace Klopp’s “heavy metal football” with Tuchel’s intensity and tactics. Maybe Tuchel is more flexible but Klopp’s style felt more attacking and adventurous at Liverpool.
But just look at their career paths - they have been on the same journey. Mainz and then Dortmund before moving into English football.
Maybe England would be a bit more attacking. The players would love Klopp. But, in fairness, the squad has really bought into Tuchel. Let’s be honest, Klopp - and I’m talking the energised one at the peak of his powers - would have been incredible fun.
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, talks to Harry Kane of England
Thomas Tuchel enjoyed a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign(Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
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Klopp had one infamous row with Mohamed Salah but, over their time together, the Liverpool manager knew how to get the best out of his star player.
It goes without saying that Klopp’s England team would be based on a hard-pressing style and would certainly have a more direct approach. But his team would also be more vulnerable from a defensive point of view.
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Who would have been the big winners and losers?
Make no mistake, he is a terrific player. Tuchel knows him from Chelsea, loves him and has shown that, as a manager, if you make a player feel like he’s king of the world then he will play like it. It’s brilliant man management.
And yet Klopp would surely have done exactly the same but with Trent Alexander-Arnold who, in my view, has been criminally underused and misused during his England career.
Remember Klopp’s barbed comments about England playing the best right back in the world in midfield? Well, it’s safe to say that Alexander-Arnold would be on the plane this summer.
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 16, 2023 in Kirkby, England.
Jurgen Klopp would have made Trent Alexander-Arnold a vital part of his England set up(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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There is no fan of the ex-Liverpool full-back more ardent than Klopp and he would not countenance an England squad without Trent, who continues to be on the international periphery under Tuchel.
Klopp is also a massive admirer of Jarrod Bowen and would even start him ahead of Bukayo Saka.
Amongst the big losers would be Marcus Rashford, who might struggle to cope with the hard-pressing demands and Jordan Henderson, an all-time favourite of Klopp’s but no longer energetic enough for the German’s style.
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Would England have stood a better chance this summer with Klopp in charge?
To make it a perfect eight wins in qualifying without conceding a goal - what else do you want? Yes, a big misstep with those “repulsive” comments in relation to Jude Bellingham when you feel that Klopp would have loved and championed our best player.
Klopp is clearly a bigger name - but Tuchel is not far behind. Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea, he is a tactician and a manager who gets results.
There would have been even more interest around Klopp because of his high profile. But Tuchel talks to the English media with a glint in his eye, he enjoys it and even relishes a bit of back and forth with the fans.
I don’t think England would have stood a better chance with Klopp. England will go as one of the favourites but, ultimately, be up against it in tough conditions against better opponents. And yet Tuchel may have the tactics to make it work.
TIRANA, ALBANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, celebrates following the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Albania and England at Air Albania Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Tuchel takes England to North America as one of the pre-tournament favourites(Image: Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Klopp would be a hugely motivating figure and it is no exaggeration to say that players do feel as though they would run through brick walls for him.
But his all-action style would not necessarily work at elite international level. It would be great fun and England would probably enjoy a bit of a romp through the group stages.
However, they might be found wanting when meeting one of the blue-chip teams in the knockout stages. That might also be the case for Tuchel but he has shown he has the tactical nous to adapt to the demands of the international game.