Jurgen Klopp rejected Manchester United and Chelsea after leaving Liverpool, according to his agent, despite firm interest from both clubs during a period of managerial uncertainty in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool manager stepped away from Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season and made it clear that he had no intention of taking charge of another English side, even as Manchester United and Chelsea explored potential replacements for their respective managers.
The German coach, now 58, left Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season, closing a near nine-year chapter that reshaped Liverpool’s modern identity. His exit coincided with managerial uncertainty at several elite clubs across Europe, including upheaval at Chelsea following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino and continued scrutiny around Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
When Klopp announced his decision to leave Liverpool, he was open about the reasons. He spoke candidly about exhaustion and the emotional toll of elite management, explaining that he could not imagine taking charge of another club in England. The intensity of the Premier League, combined with nearly a decade on Merseyside, had left him feeling drained rather than restless.
That clarity, however, did not prevent rivals from testing the waters.
Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke, revealed that inquiries continued to arrive even after his client had made his position clear. Speaking to Transfermarkt, Kosicke explained that Klopp was content with his current role and had no desire to return to the dugout in the short term.
According to Kosicke, Klopp could have taken on high-profile international roles, including leading the United States or replacing Gareth Southgate as England manager. A return to Germany was also a possibility, had Julian Nagelsmann not already been in charge of the national team.
Even so, Premier League interest persisted. Both Chelsea and Manchester United made contact, despite Klopp’s public stance that he would not coach another English club. The approaches were acknowledged but never progressed.
Klopp has since taken up a senior role within the Red Bull football structure, a position that allows him to stay connected to the game without the relentless pressure of weekly results. Kosicke noted that Klopp is “very, very happy” in this phase of his career and takes pride in what he has already achieved.
His record remains unusual at the top level. Klopp has managed only three clubs in his career and was never dismissed by any of them. In an era defined by short-term thinking and frequent sackings, that consistency stands out.
Chelsea, meanwhile, went on to appoint Enzo Maresca. Despite winning the Conference League and Club World Cup, Maresca was dismissed in January, underlining the instability Klopp chose to avoid.
