So here's a juicy bit of football gossip that'll make you rethink everything. Jurgen Klopp's agent has dropped a bombshell, claiming that both Chelsea and Manchester United tried to tempt the German manager after he left Liverpool. Yeah, you read that right.
Klopp walked away from Anfield in May 2024 after an incredible eight-and-a-half years. During that time, he ended Liverpool's painful 30-year wait for a Premier League trophy. The man's a legend, no question about it.
Now, both Manchester United and Chelsea have come out swinging, denying they ever made any approach when The Athletic asked them about it. But Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke is sticking to his story, and it's a fascinating one.
Why Klopp Said No to England's Giants
Here's the thing - when Klopp left Liverpool, he made it crystal clear he wouldn't manage another English club. Guess that didn't stop United and Chelsea from trying their luck though. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, right?
After taking some well-deserved time off, Klopp joined Red Bull as their head of global soccer in January last year. He's 58 now and seems pretty content in his new role, away from the touchline stress.
Kosicke told Transfermarkt: "At the moment I don't see that happening because he's very happy with his new role. Maybe at some point he'll say he needs to smell the locker room again. But at the moment he's very, very happy."
The agent also revealed that Klopp could've managed the USA or England national teams. He might've even landed the Germany job if Julian Nagelsmann hadn't already been appointed. That's some serious interest from the biggest names in football.
What This Means for the Premier League
Both Chelsea and United have since moved on with new appointments. They brought in Liam Rosenior and Michael Carrick respectively in January, replacing Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim. For punters watching the odds, this revelation shows just how desperate both clubs were for managerial stability.
Kosicke also spilled the beans about Bayern Munich coming after Klopp twice. Once in 2008, and again after Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019. Bayern wanted him badly, but the timing never worked out.
"Bayern came very close to signing us twice," he explained. After Niko Kovac left in November 2019, they approached again. But Hansi Flick turned out to be a surprise success, so Bayern didn't pursue it further.
The big takeaway? Klopp's loyalty to Liverpool was real, and his word about not managing another English club seems solid. That's got to sting for Chelsea and United fans wondering what might have been.
