“When I departed Dortmund nine years ago, my desired destination was Manchester United. I never anticipated that I would eventually become the coach of Liverpool. However, what unfolded surprised me. It has been kept under wraps, but now it’s time for the fans to know why Jurgen Klopp didn’t end up coaching Manchester United before joining Liverpool, despite admitting he made a significant mistake.”

“When I departed Dortmund nine years ago, my desired destination was Manchester United. I never anticipated that I would eventually become the coach of Liverpool. However, what unfolded surprised me. It has been kept under wraps, but now it’s time for the fans to know why Jurgen Klopp didn’t end up coaching Manchester United before joining Liverpool, despite admitting he made a significant mistake.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United before eventually joining rivals Liverpool in 2015. Klopp, who recently announced his decision to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season after almost eight years in charge, explained that he felt he was “running out of energy,” making it the right time for him to leave.

Despite the shock of his departure, Klopp’s success at Anfield includes leading Liverpool to a sixth Champions League crown in 2019 and their first-ever Premier League title in the following year.

Although Liverpool fans will undoubtedly miss Klopp’s exceptional coaching and man-management skills, the situation could have been different. In 2013, while managing Borussia Dortmund, Klopp was approached by then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson about potentially succeeding him at Old Trafford, according to Sky Sports.

However, Klopp declined the role, citing timing issues, before eventually joining Liverpool two years later. Klopp mentioned, “We spoke—not a lot, but, for me, it was a significant conversation.”

“It was a significant honor, the entire discussion, to be honest. However, I couldn’t leave Dortmund. You’re in April, in the midst of planning for the next season. You have these players coming, but then you’re not there anymore? That doesn’t work in my life. I didn’t receive a concrete offer from United, but even if there was, I couldn’t have entertained it.

I needed to finish the job with Dortmund first before considering other options. Maybe that isn’t the smartest approach, but it’s my way. It was the same at Mainz.”

Following Klopp’s decision not to join, Manchester United appointed David Moyes, who lasted just 10 months before being sacked. The course of events could have been vastly different if Klopp had chosen to go to United, a scenario that Liverpool fans are undoubtedly relieved never came to fruition.