Truth behind Jurgen Klopp and England national team links after Thomas Tuchel hire

Jurgen Klopp's agent claims the Liverpool legend could have taken the England job, but the Football Association was far more interested in appointing Pep Guardiola before Thomas Tuchel

Jurgen Klopp was recently linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, and England(Image: Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp was in the frame to manage the England national team, his agent has revealed.

However, the former Liverpool manager's great rival, Pep Guardiola, came significantly closer to landing the position. In fact, Guardiola will be remembered alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, and Jose Mourinho as managerial giants who were approached but ultimately never took charge of England.

The revelation emerged when Klopp's representative, Marc Kosicke, disclosed that Chelsea, Manchester United, and England had all shown interest in appointing Klopp following his departure from Anfield during the summer of 2024. Speaking to German publication Transfermarkt, Kosicke stated: "Before joining Red Bull, Jurgen could have coached the USA or England.

"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 enquiries keep coming."

To clarify: both United and Chelsea have refuted making formal offers to Klopp. Though it's fair to say what one agent considers an enquiry, another might view it as an offer.

An initial telephone call to test the waters doesn't necessarily amount to a formal job proposal. However, had someone of Klopp's stature expressed interest, the Football Association would undoubtedly have pursued matters further.

Klopp is enjoying his break from management(Image: Getty Images)

The circumstances weren't right, though, as Klopp desired time away from management before eventually accepting the Red Bull role. During the summer of 2024, the German also publicly ruled himself out of contention for the England position.

Headlines emerged and Klopp was questioned about the role despite stating he required a complete break following his Liverpool departure. Klopp remarked at the time that reversing his decision would represent "the biggest loss of face in the history of football."

However, the Football Association was pursuing a high-profile appointment and Thomas Tuchel clearly met that criteria, while Guardiola also kept them waiting regarding his plans. In October 2024, Guardiola acknowledged that his future was "not decided," and that the Football Association had already approached him.

Securing the Manchester City manager was evidently an attractive proposition and would have represented a remarkable achievement in international soccer. Guardiola was the prominent Premier League figure the Football Association targeted, but ultimately couldn't secure, rather than Klopp.

This narrative resembles Ferguson's disclosure in his autobiography that he declined England on two occasions, in 1999 and 2001. "There was no way I could manage England. Think of me going back to Scotland! Deary me," laughed Ferguson.

Wenger also rejected the position before Sven Goran Eriksson accepted it in 2001. The running joke suggested that former Arsenal vice chairman David Dein, then an influential Football Association figure, pursued Eriksson to avoid losing Wenger.

Likewise, ex-Chelsea manager Mourinho revealed he was offered the job before Fabio Capello took the reins in 2007. "I had it there on the table," the Special One reminisced in 2004. However, Mourinho stated his desire to focus on club soccer. Guardiola can be added to that list more so than Klopp, as that proposition never made it past the initial stage.

Nonetheless, Tuchel has stepped in and performed admirably. Just last week, he announced his commitment to a further two years, extending his contract until 2028.