Bayern Munich spoke to Jurgen Klopp about appointing him as manager before they eventually decided on Jurgen Klinsmann, according to chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Despite discussions with Klopp, who instead joined Borussia Dortmund from Mainz, Bayern opted for surprise pick Klinsmann to replace the retiring Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Klinsmann's tenure was unsuccessful and he was dismissed after nine months, with Rummenigge later calling it the worst decision of his career as a board member.
Klopp, who had resigned as Mainz boss after their failed attempt to get promoted back into the Bundesliga, was overlooked in favour of the former Tottenham striker despite Klinsmann having never managed a club side at that point.
Rummenigge told ZDF Sport: 'I was partly responsible for bringing Jürgen Klinsmann on as a coach. Unfortunately, that didn't work.
'That was also due to FC Bayern, but it just didn't work. I'm very sorry. It wasn't a good decision for both parties.'
'(Then club president) Uli (Hoeness) was in talks with Klopp at the time. We had to make a swift decision and then we agreed to get Jurgen.'
Klopp excelled at Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles, two German Super Cups and a German Cup before joining Liverpool, where he won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League last season.
Klinsmann left the United States men's teamafter they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and resigned from Hertha Berlin in February 2020.