JURGEN KLOPP HAS revealed that he turned down a “historical English club” before joining Liverpool because the job “didn’t feel right”.
Having enhanced his reputation during a productive spell at Borussia Dortmund, the German coach was a man in demand back in 2015.
Around that time, Manchester United were stagnating under Louis van Gaal while Chelsea were preparing to part with Jose Mourinho.
Both clubs would have been expected to express an interest in Klopp, having seen him walk away from his role in Dortmund, but neither got a deal done as Liverpool swept in to make a high-profile appointment as successor to Brendan Rodgers.
“Why Liverpool? I had an offer of another historical English club two years ago, but I never felt comfortable with how they understood football,” Klopp told guests at a charity event in Cape Town, according to Soccer Laduma.
“It didn’t feel right. When Liverpool called, I can’t explain it. It was right.”
If he did turn down United, then that decision will have come as a surprise to many, with Klopp’s predecessor at Mainz, Eckhard Krautzun, having revealed that Old Trafford had always been his favoured destination in England.
He told The Set Pieces on Klopp: “When it comes to his favourite club, however, Liverpool weren’t always number one.
It would be his dream to go to England one day and his favourite club would be [Manchester] United. That’s what he said.”
Having opted to head for Merseyside over Manchester or London, Klopp is now charged with the task of returning former glories to Liverpool.
He has experienced mixed fortunes after taking on that challenge, with the Reds still waiting on a first piece of silverware since 2012.
Klopp is, however, convinced that he will deliver success, with his sights still set on the Premier League title.
He added while in South Africa: “We have to improve, 100%. But we will.
We are fine and the owners are happy. Liverpool is a fantastic club, and my aim is to win the Premier League with it.”
Liverpool sit fifth in the English top-flight at present, 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
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Lucky escape for who ever. His record in finals is awful.
@Irishoverseas: agreed, he’s a one trick pony when teams stifle what is a very good attack there’s no plan b.
I sense a monumental school yard Dick measuring contest coming.
@Nollaig Elliot: Nollaig I’m not a troll but I’ll give it right back to him,I’ve no problem with it. He comments on enough articles on here and I’ve a right to state my views.
‘Never felt comfortable about how they understood football” Can’t imagine anyone involved in the game would make a comment like that about Man Utd!
Jurgen Flopp.
It’s grand but thanks anyway Klippity…
Knocked United back. So Klopp and Guardiola. Mourinho off to PSG. Ancellotti to Everton. Moyes must be delighted. KARMA !
@Is mise muc gránna: No I doubt he turned utd more likely Chelsea when it had to do with football history.
@Is mise muc gránna: Yeah Moyes must be delighted having relegated Sunderland and now managing West Ham for 6 Months.
@Let free speech live: Only he really knows i suppose.
@An Observer: Yes he relegated them. The player’s he spent 500 million on pulled up trees every week for him. A class act. And will prove it at The Hammers. If given time and money. Stop being so defensive with everthing anybody says about United. You have enough to say about Liverpool. It’s opinions. Respect them or ignore them. Simples.
@Is mise muc gránna: I respect opinions. Not trolls just trying to sh*t stir.
Lads that’s a real lame story to get the posters in
It can’t be Chelsea considering everyone involved with Liverpool says they have no history
@Chris Mansfield: No thats everybody.
Likeable guy but don’t think OT is for him. In saying that, the absolute fraud that is currently there shouldn’t be either. And I’m a United fan before I get slated.
Whichever club it was, they dodged a bullet. Rate klopp less n less as time wears on
Any old BS now to try and save his job and give himself some credit
@Rons: no, any old BS from the 42 to try and get Liverpool and United supporters viewing and arguing.
@Joseph Bloggs: No a bull s~~t premier league story to fill the international break.
If it’s true, then all I can say is thanks be to fcuk!