Former Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, is considered by many football fans to be one of the greatest Premier League managers, not just of the modern era, but in the history of the top flight.
After arriving at Anfield from Borussia Dortmund in late 2015, the German went on to leave as a Liverpool legend, having masterminded their Champions League victory in the 2018/19 season before winning the Premier League, UEFA super Cup and FIFA Club world Cup in the following campaign.
Though, things could have worked out rather differently between the Reds and their historic rivals, Manchester United, given that klopp rejected an offer from the Red Devils in 2013, only two years before joining Liverpool, due to united’s ‘big club’ attitude.
Klopp made a plethora of superlative signings during his 491-game tenure at Anfield, but the 58-year-old has now revealed the two former Man Utd stars that he would not have signed if he had become Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor.
Klopp Wouldn’t Have Signed Cristiano Ronaldo or Paul Pogba
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Jürgen Klopp Reveals Why He Rejected manchester United Before Joining Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp has revealed the reasons behind his decision to turn down the opportunity to manage manchester United in 2013, ultimately choosing to build his legacy at Liverpool instead. The former Borussia Dortmund manager explained that the project presented by united didn’t align with his footballing beliefs, and he felt it wasn’t the right fit for him. He also expressed reservations about a strategy focused solely on acquiring star players, citing examples like potential moves for paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 2013 Manchester United Approach
In an interview, Klopp detailed the circumstances surrounding Manchester United’s approach. At the time, United was seeking a replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, who had announced his retirement. Klopp, still under contract with Borussia Dortmund, was among the candidates considered. However, he stated he would have remained at Dortmund regardless, as leaving during his contract wasn’t something he would do.
he described the conversations with United representatives as unsettling, noting a focus on simply acquiring high-profile players. “United was that big, ‘We get all the players we want, we can get him, we get him, we get him…’ and I was sitting there, ‘Huh…'” [https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38789941/jurgen-klopp-reveals-why-he-rejected-manchester-united-job] This emphasis on star power, rather than a cohesive footballing project, was a major deterrent.
A Clash of Philosophies: Building vs.Buying
Klopp explained his discomfort with the proposed strategy. He didn’t believe simply assembling a team of “the best players” would guarantee success. He specifically mentioned that bringing back former players like Paul Pogba, who eventually rejoined Manchester United in 2016, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had two spells at the club (2003-2009 and 2021-2022), often doesn’t yield the desired results.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/03/jurgen-klopp-rejected-manchester-united-job-because-it-was-not-my-project]
“To bring him back, it never helps,” Klopp stated, adding that the idea of simply collecting star players – even those as talented as Pogba or Ronaldo – wasn’t his approach to building a successful team. He preferred a more organic, project-based approach focused on developing a unified playing style and team spirit.
The Allure of Liverpool
Ultimately, Klopp found a more appealing project at Liverpool. He was drawn to the potential to build something special at Anfield, focusing on developing players and implementing his signature high-pressing, attacking style of football. He felt the Liverpool opportunity offered a more genuine and fulfilling challenge.
this decision proved fruitful. Under Klopp’s leadership, Liverpool experienced a remarkable resurgence, winning the Champions League in 2019, the Premier League in 2020 – their first title in 30 years – and numerous other trophies, including the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022. [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/jurgen-klopp-reflects-on-liverpool-journey]
Pogba and Ronaldo’s Departures & Klopp’s Success
Interestingly, both Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo eventually left Manchester United for a second time, in 2022, reinforcing Klopp’s skepticism about simply re-signing past stars. Klopp’s success with Liverpool stands in contrast, demonstrating the effectiveness of his project-focused approach to team building.