Jurgen Klopp Already Explained Why He Rejected Man Utd as Job Becomes Available Again

In a candid revelation, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has detailed the reasons behind turning down Manchester United in 2013, just before he joined the Reds. Now serving as head of global soccer for Red Bull GmbH after stepping away from Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season, Klopp cited bad timing and a mismatched project as key factors[1][2].

At the time, Klopp was under contract with Borussia Dortmund and unwilling to leave mid-season. "It was wrong time, wrong moment. I had a contract at Dortmund and wouldn't have left for anybody," he explained. United approached him as one of several options amid their search for a new manager[1].

Beyond timing, Klopp was unimpressed by the club's vision. During conversations with United representatives, he heard promises of acquiring top players effortlessly: "United was that big, 'We get all the players we want, we get him, we get him,' and I was sitting there... It was not my project." He criticized the approach as lacking a pure football focus, describing it as more about commercial power than on-pitch strategy: "The idea is we bring all the best players together and let's go... No, not at all (about football), and I sat there [and thought] it was not for me."[1]

In contrast, Klopp praised his discussions with Liverpool's president of football operations, Mike Gordon, whose interest centered on a "pure football project," which ultimately swayed him to Merseyside[1].

With Manchester United's managerial position potentially opening up again amid ongoing struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, Klopp's comments resurface as a reminder of his principled stance[2]. Post-Liverpool, he was linked to high-profile roles like the USMNT job for the 2026 World Cup and England after Gareth Southgate's exit, but quickly ruled them out, prioritizing his break from management[1].

Klopp's decision underscores his commitment to projects aligned with his football philosophy, leaving United to grapple with prolonged instability under owners prioritizing glamour over substance[1][2].