German admits he snubbed chance to manage today’s opponents
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed how he turned down the chance to manage Manchester United, despite having talks with Sir Alex Ferguson.
Then at Borussia Dortmund, Klopp was approached by the former-United manager as he was preparing to leave his role at Old Trafford, ending his long-term association with the club.
However, Klopp turned down Ferguson‘s approaches and they eventually appointed David Moyes from Everton.
Now both parties have moved on, with Klopp at Liverpool and United under the guidance of Louis van Gaal, and ahead of today’s game, the Reds boss has revealed how he was approached by Manchester United.
Klopp Reveals United Talks
‘We spoke,’ Klopp told the media in the pre-match conference.
‘We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot. It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest. But I could not leave Dortmund. You are in April and you are in the middle of the planning for next season.
‘You have this player and this player who are coming but then you are not there anymore? That doesn’t work. Not in my life.
‘I didn’t hear about a real offer [from United] but, if there was, I could not have done it. I first had to finish the job with Dortmund and then think about other things. Maybe that is not smart but that is my way. It was the same at Mainz.’
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
