Jurgen Klopp's agent reveals Chelsea and Man Utd approaches after Liverpool exit

Jurgen Klopp's agent Marc Kosicke has disclosed that Chelsea and Manchester United both inquired about the former Liverpool manager after his departure from Anfield, while Bayern Munich also tried to sign him during his Reds reign

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp(Image: Ronny HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp's representative has disclosed that both Manchester United and Chelsea attempted to recruit the former Liverpool manager after his exit from Anfield.

Bayern Munich also tried unsuccessfully to tempt Klopp away from the Reds during their Champions League triumph and subsequent Premier League title-winning campaign.

Klopp departed the touchline following a nine-year spell at Liverpool in May 2024, subsequently taking up his present position as Red Bull's Head of Global Football the following January, and he has suggested he will not return to management. Despite this, the 58 year old remains frequently mentioned in connection with prestigious managerial vacancies.

He was most recently being mooted as a potential successor to the dismissed Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid before former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa was named interim head coach.

Whilst downplaying speculation around Klopp's return to management, his long-standing representative Marc Kosicke has revealed how Liverpool's Premier League competitors pursued the Anfield icon.

When questioned about his client's potential return to the dugout, Kosicke said: "At the moment, I don't see that happening, because he's very happy with his new role and in this environment.

"Maybe at some point he'll say he needs to smell the locker room again. But at the moment he's very, very happy in his role. Before joining Red Bull, Jurgen could have coached the USA or England national teams. Probably also Germany, if Julian Nagelsmann hadn't already been there.

"Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England. These inquiries haven't stopped.

"Jurgen has undergone a metamorphosis, moving away from being a coach with a broad perspective towards more management responsibilities."

In an exclusive conversation with Transfermarkt, Kosicke also revealed an approach from Bayern whilst Klopp was at the pinnacle of his success at Liverpool.

"Bayern came very close to signing us twice," he said. "Once in 2008: Uli Hoeness wanted Jurgen Klopp, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wanted Jurgen Klinsmann.

"And after Niko Kovac (who was sacked in November 2019), when Jurgen was at Liverpool, they approached us again. Nobody thought things would be so successful with (eventual Bayern boss) Hansi Flick. There just wasn't the right momentum."