Liverpool’s legendary former manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up about the time he turned down the chance to manage Manchester United. Speaking about the incident, Klopp revealed that United had approached him around the time when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but he didn’t feel the club’s approach and attitude suited him.
“They told me, ‘We’ll get you any player you want — this one, that one, Pogba, Ronaldo.’ But that’s not how I see football,” Klopp said. “It’s not just about buying stars. It’s about building a team, developing players, and creating a connection. I realized from that conversation that it wasn’t the right place for me.”
At the time, Klopp was managing Borussia Dortmund, where he had made a name for himself by developing young players and creating one of the most exciting teams in Europe. Shortly after rejecting Manchester United’s offer, Klopp went on to join Liverpool, where he completely transformed the club’s fortunes.
Under Klopp’s leadership, Liverpool won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, cementing his status as one of the greatest managers in the club’s history.
Looking back now, Klopp’s decision to reject United and wait for the right project proved to be one of the most defining choices of his career.