Man Utd and Chelsea Fire Back at Shocking Jurgen Klopp Allegations—Exclusive Report
Manchester United and Chelsea have both firmly dismissed allegations from Jürgen Klopp's representative that the German tactician received approaches from the Premier League powerhouses during the summer transfer window of 2024.
Marc Kosicke made shocking revelations this week, claiming his client was contacted by no fewer than four different organizations following his departure from Liverpool management eighteen months prior. The England and United States national team positions were mentioned as certain opportunities that Klopp declined—alongside two of his previous Premier League adversaries.
"Both Chelsea and Manchester United made inquiries," Kosicke stated, "despite Jürgen making it crystal clear that he wouldn't manage another English club."
Both English football powerhouses have now firmly refuted any communication with Klopp, according to reports from Sky Sports News. Chelsea found themselves managerless during the German's Liverpool departure, while United retained Erik ten Hag at the time. Following their FA Cup triumph that summer, the controversial Dutch manager surprisingly received a contract extension just months before his eventual dismissal. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, was also dismissed after delivering even poorer results.
While United may deny being rejected by Klopp in 2024, they have experienced such rejection previously.
Jurgen Klopp Has Already Twice Turned Man Utd Down
Jurgen Klopp Has Already Twice Turned Man Utd Down
The narrative suggests that Sir Alex Ferguson personally selected David Moyes as his replacement, though the former (and current) Everton manager wasn't the initial choice Manchester United's iconic leader contacted to take over. In April 2013, with his remarkable 26-year tenure nearing its conclusion, the astute Scotsman reached out to Europe's most sought-after coaching talent.
Klopp had recently guided Borussia Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga championships and was preparing for a Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium. With his "heavy metal" tactical approach as captivating as his personality, the German's attraction was undeniable.
"We had discussions," Klopp disclosed during his inaugural Liverpool campaign in 2016. "We didn't talk extensively, but for me, it was significant. The entire conversation was genuinely an honor. However, I couldn't abandon Dortmund.
"You're in April, right in the midst of preparing for the following season. You have certain players arriving, but then you're suddenly absent? That's impossible. Not in my philosophy.
"I never heard of an actual offer [from United], but even if there was one, I couldn't have accepted it. I needed to complete my responsibilities with Dortmund first, then consider other opportunities. Perhaps that's not clever, but that's my approach. It was identical at Mainz."
If Ferguson couldn't persuade Klopp, Ed Woodward stood no chance. The criticized former Manchester United executive with investment banking credentials was constantly haunted by accusations of lacking football understanding.
When he traveled to Dortmund the subsequent year, 2014, attempting to entice Klopp into replacing Moyes, he presented an image that conflicted with the manager's football philosophy.
Raphael Honigstein's outstanding biography of the former Liverpool manager, Bring the Noise, revealed that Woodward likened Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to "an adult version of Disneyland," where magical aspirations could be realized.
Klopp allegedly described that presentation as "somewhat unappealing" to an associate. Reflecting on the encounter years afterward, he commented: "The individuals in that discussion told me [things] I found disagreeable. United was portrayed as so massive, 'We acquire any players we desire, we get him, we get him,' and I sat there... It wasn't my vision. The timing was wrong, but beyond that, it wasn't my project."
As events unfolded, United would never align with Klopp's vision.