REVEALED: WHY JURGEN KLOPP SAID NO TO MANCHESTER UNITED JOB OPPORTUNITY
Jurgen Klopp reveals he turned down the Manchester United manager job in 2013. The German was unimpressed with their "theme park" project, preferring a pure football challenge, which he later found at Liverpool.
The German confirmed that he held talks over the Old Trafford post back in 2013, when he was thriving at Borussia Dortmund after winning two Bundesliga titles and reaching the Champions League final, and when United were looking for a replacement for the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson.
Klopp claimed that he was one of several possible applicants for the position, but he declined the offer after being completely dissatisfied with the idea, especially with regard to the club's transfer ambitions.
As Ferguson's own intended replacement, United ultimately chose Everton mainstay David Moyes; nevertheless, he was fired after just ten months and replaced by interim manager Ryan Giggs.
Following interim stints for Ralf Rangnick, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Michael Carrick, they later hired Louis van Gaal. Before Ruben Amorim's appointment last year, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag had all assumed permanent leadership at Old Trafford.
Klopp, on the other hand, remained at Dortmund for two more seasons before departing in 2015 to join Liverpool as a replacement for the fired Brendan Rodgers. He became a legendary figure at Anfield during a ten-year period during which he brought the team back to prominence, winning the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Community Shield, the Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups in addition to their first Premier League title.
During his recent interview on The Diary Of A CEO Podcast, Klopp was asked if he had ever received a call from United. He said, "Yeah, I spoke to them," to host Steven Bartlett. They talked to me the year Sir Alex retired. Yes, they were interested at one point, of course.
I would have been intrigued at the time. I had a fantastic squad at Dortmund when I was younger. They must have wondered, "What is he doing there?"
Klopp went on to respond, "They tried," when asked why United did not pursue him. For me, it was the wrong moment at the wrong time. I would not have left Dortmund for anyone at that time since I had a contract there. They just needed management, but I believe that the manager they wanted was one of several possibilities.
He said, "Yeah, that way," when asked if he had rejected United instead of the other way around.
Klopp responded, "It is tough; we are not presently in a private place," when asked why he had not accepted the position. There are a few explanations. I did not enjoy what some of the people in that chat said to me.
Because United was so large, we were able to acquire any player we desired. We can obtain him, secure him, secure him. It was not my project, and I was sitting there.
Not only was it not my project, but it was also the incorrect moment. I do not know, I did not want to bring [Paul] Pogba back. My God, Paul is a terrific player, but these things do not typically work.
Or Cristiano, my god, we all know that he is the world's best player, together with Lionel Messi. But it never helps to bring back.
"It was clearly not about Cristiano at the time, in 2013, and I am not sure whether it was about Paul either. However, the objective was just to gather the top players and then let them go.
"It had nothing to do with the football. 'That is not for me,' I said. Liverpool is the next product of the pure football project.
GARETH BARRY URGES MANCHESTER UNITED TO SIGN ELLIOT ANDERSON FOR £100M
Gareth Barry identifies Elliot Anderson as the ideal Casemiro replacement as the Brazilian prepares to leave Man Utd.
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Gareth Barry, the former Premier League midfielder, thinks Manchester United should target Elliot Anderson to take Casemiro’s place. Casemiro, now 34, already said he’s leaving Old Trafford when his contract ends this summer.
United’s decision not to extend Casemiro’s deal fits with their plan to shake up the squad. They paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million for him in 2022, and with add-ons, the deal reached £70 million. Casemiro’s on big wages around £300,000 a week, which gets closer to £350,000 if United make the Champions League. There’s also uncertainty about Manuel Ugarte’s future. With both potentially on the way out, plenty of names are being floated as replacements.
Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Adam Wharton are all in the conversation, but Barry sees Anderson as the best option.
Talking to BOYLE Sports, Barry explained, “Manchester United will definitely be searching for someone to fill Casemiro’s shoes. Anderson isn’t the same kind of player, and there’s a big age difference, too. What he brings is pretty unique.
“I really rate Elliot Anderson. If you’re a United scout, you’re talking about him. Off the ball, there aren’t many better. He presses, he shuts down space, and he’s great at winning the ball back. Plus, he can play forward too.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel starts him for England over some big names, and why he could easily start at the World Cup. I’m sure he’s getting discussed in various boardrooms, not just at Manchester United.
“If a move’s going to happen, it’s better to get it over the line quickly. It just makes everything smoother for both clubs and the player, especially with a big tournament coming up.”
Barry added, “No one wants uncertainty hanging over Anderson while he’s focused on England at the World Cup. It doesn’t help anyone. And if he has a standout tournament, his price could easily go up.
“So if everyone agrees it’s time for a move, getting the deal sorted before the World Cup just makes sense.”
Even so, Nottingham Forest won’t be keen to let Anderson go. Since joining Newcastle in 2024, he’s become a vital part of their midfield. Forest supposedly set its price at £100 million, but their relegation fight could change things. Right now, Vitor Pereira’s squad sits 16th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. names and
FA CHARGES HARRY MAGUIRE FOR "IMPROPER BEHAVIOR" FOLLOWING COSTLY BOURNEMOUTH DISMISSAL
Michael Carrick’s side faces a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire is charged by the FA for improper conduct.
Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association over his conduct following the red card he received in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The defender was sent off after officials judged that he pulled back Evanilson inside the penalty area during their Premier League meeting last month. Maguire challenged the decision with both referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Matt Donohue once VAR confirmed the call.
That penalty allowed Junior Kroupi to score the equaliser, helping Bournemouth claw back a point against Michael Carrick’s side.
According to an FA statement, Maguire faces charges relating to improper behaviour and/or the use of abusive or insulting language towards the fourth official after his dismissal. He has until April 2 to respond to these allegations.
As things stand, Maguire is due to serve a one-match ban for the red card, which would rule him out of Manchester United's game against Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13. If his ban is extended following this charge, he could also miss the clash with Chelsea on April 18, an encounter that could be crucial, given United sit third and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for Champions League spots.
Earlier, Daily Mail Sport reported that Manchester United lodged a formal complaint with the PGMOL after the Bournemouth draw. The club were particularly frustrated over a denied second penalty, where Amad Diallo appeared to be brought down in the box while they led 1-0. Bournemouth then equalised through Ryan Christie in the ensuing play, and a VAR review did not overturn the decision, which may have swung momentum considerably.
Inside the United camp, there’s a sense that Maguire’s foul, which led to Bournemouth's second equaliser, mirrored the unpunished challenge on Diallo involving Adrien Truffert. That comparison fuels their belief that some decisions during the game didn’t go their way.
