Klopp rejects Man Utd and Chelsea to avoid rivalry with Liverpool

Klopp’s agent has recently revealed that the legendary Liverpool manager turned down offers from Chelsea and Manchester United when he left Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season.

During his nine years in charge of Liverpool, Klopp led the club to its first-ever Premier League title, as well as the Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups.

Upon his departure, he was hailed as an “Honorary Scouser” by the club and its supporters, bidding farewell as a true Liverpool legend.

At the time, he openly stated that he was leaving due to physical and mental exhaustion, adding that he would not manage another English club and might even step away from top‑level management entirely.

Now 58, Klopp walked away from the dugout to become Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, a role he has held for the past 13 months.

However, he will make a brief return to Merseyside on March 28, working as an assistant to Sir Kenny Dalglish when Liverpool Legends take on Borussia Dortmund.

Following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal by Real Madrid, speculation linking Klopp with the managerial vacancy at the Bernabéu has resurfaced.

Asked whether his client could return to management, agent Marc Kosicke replied:

“Not at the moment, from what I see. He’s very happy in his new role and environment. Maybe one day he’ll say he wants to feel the dressing room atmosphere again, but for now he’s fully committed.

Before joining Red Bull, he had opportunities to coach in the United States, England, and even the German national team — had Nagelsmann not taken over.

Chelsea and United also made inquiries, even though he had already made it clear he would not take charge of another English club. Such approaches never stopped.

Jürgen is going through a transition — from a coach focused on the touchline to someone taking on broader, strategic responsibilities.”

Both Chelsea and Manchester United have denied making any official offers.

In an earlier interview with Transfermarkt, Kosicke also revealed that Bayern Munich had approached Klopp months before he led Liverpool to the Premier League title:

“Bayern came very close twice. In 2008, Hoeneß wanted Klopp, but Rummenigge chose Klinsmann. In 2019, after Kovac was sacked, Bayern contacted him again — Jürgen was still at Liverpool.

No one expected Flick to be so successful. It simply wasn’t the right time.”

Last month, Klopp himself reaffirmed his stance:

“I don’t think I’ll change my mind, but you never know. We’re building a new house, and my wife wants a huge trophy room.

I pointed to the smaller room next to it and said: ‘This is enough. We know how much we’ve won; we won’t be adding any more.’

It may sound arrogant, but I know I could still do a good job — I just don’t have to do it until the end of my life.”

His time managing on Merseyside is now firmly in the past, and his stance remains highly unlikely to change in the future.

Since his final game in charge of Liverpool in May 2024, he has seemingly found peace and relief away from the frontline of management.

Klopp may return to management one day, possibly with a national team rather than a club, but for now, he is clearly content with his current situation.

By rejecting offers from Manchester United and Chelsea, he has ensured he will always remain a revered legend in the eyes of the Kop faithful.