Jurgen Klopp Reveals Why He Declined the Opportunity to Replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shed light on why he rejected the chance to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United following the legendary coach’s retirement.

Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett, Klopp, who ended his successful nine, year spell at Anfield in 2024, shared that he was approached by Manchester United in 2013 while still leading a thriving Borussia Dortmund side in Germany.

The German tactician admitted that although the offer was flattering, the club’s timing and vision did not align with his footballing philosophy.

“In the year when Sir Alex retired, they spoke to me,” Klopp said, as reported by the Daily Mail. “Of course, they were interested, and at that time, I would have been open to such discussions. I was young, had a fantastic team at Dortmund, and everything was going great. But it just didn’t feel right.”

Why Klopp Said No to Manchester United

Klopp went on to reveal that his decision was largely influenced by the nature of Manchester United’s proposal. He described their plan as one that focused heavily on high-profile transfers rather than long-term team building, a contrast to his own coaching philosophy.

“There were certain things in the conversation that didn’t sit well with me,” he said. “The approach was like, ‘We can buy whoever we want, we’ll get him and him,’ and I thought, that’s not my project. It was not the right time and more importantly, it was not the right project.”

Klopp emphasized that he preferred developing players and creating cohesive teams over chasing marquee signings. He even mentioned that he would not have supported bringing back former United stars such as Paul Pogba or Cristiano Ronaldo, moves the club later made.

“I didn’t want to bring Pogba back,” Klopp added. “He’s an incredible player, but those kinds of returns rarely work. The same with Cristiano, he’s one of the best ever, alongside Messi, but going back never really helps.”

Since Ferguson’s departure in 2013, Manchester United has endured a turbulent period, going through several managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho, and achieving only limited cup success.

Klopp Criticizes United’s Short-Term Mentality

Klopp contrasted United’s approach with the patience and long-term planning that he values. He noted that the pressure to win instantly often leads clubs to make rash decisions instead of building solid foundations.

“At United, they always seemed in a rush, win now, fix things quickly,” he explained. “But football doesn’t work like that. If something goes wrong, they buy time by changing things again. That’s why stability becomes impossible.”

When Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015, he found exactly the kind of football project he had been looking for, one that prioritized gradual progress and team development. Under his leadership, Liverpool enjoyed a golden era, capturing the Champions League in 2019 and their first Premier League title in three decades in 2020.

Reflecting on his decision to stay loyal to Borussia Dortmund back in 2013, Klopp said his commitment played a key role. “United approached me, but it was the wrong time,” he said firmly. “I had a contract at Dortmund, and I wouldn’t have left for anyone.”

Drawn to Liverpool’s “Pure Football Project”

Klopp credited his eventual move to Liverpool to a meaningful conversation with Fenway Sports Group’s Mike Gordon. “That talk with Mike Gordon was incredible,” Klopp recalled. “After that, I wanted to be his friend. He’s such a genuine person, and I immediately felt this was a real football project, not a marketing one.”

The German coach also reflected on José Mourinho’s tenure at Manchester United, using it as an example of the immense pressure Premier League managers face. Mourinho, despite finishing second in the 2017–18 season, was dismissed the following year, a situation Klopp described as typical of modern football impatience.

“Remember when José finished second? That was seen as a failure,” Klopp said. “Now, United would love to be that close again. It just shows how quickly perspectives change. It’s not just a United thing. it’s football in general.”

He concluded by commenting on the volatile nature of the game, where a single result can reshape a manager’s reputation overnight. “In football, if you win, you’re a genius. If you lose, people say you know nothing. And if you draw, they call you boring,” Klopp remarked.