Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has disclosed that he declined the opportunity to manage Manchester United following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, citing fundamental disagreements over the club's recruitment approach.
The German tactician made these revelations during an appearance on Steven Bartlett's The Diary of a CEO podcast, which was released over the weekend.
Klopp confirmed that United approached him whilst he was still managing Borussia Dortmund, where he had secured two Bundesliga championships and reached the Champions League final in 2013.
The highly-regarded coach explained that discussions with the Old Trafford hierarchy revealed a transfer philosophy that clashed with his footballing principles, ultimately leading him to reject their advances.
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During the meetings with United officials, Klopp was troubled by their recruitment strategy which focused on acquiring high-profile names rather than developing a cohesive footballing system.
"Because I was told things in the meetings that I didn't like: 'We get all the players you want… we get him, and him, and him..' And I was sitting there like… yeah, this is not my type of project," Klopp revealed in the podcast.
Jurgen Klopp turned down the chance to manage United in 2013
| PAHe specifically mentioned his opposition to potential signings that United were considering. "I didn't want to bring back Paul Pogba. These things won't work. I didn't want to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo, this won't help," he stated.
The German coach criticised their approach, saying: "Their idea was to bring the best players to the club, but they would never bring up football."
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Klopp honoured his commitment to Dortmund despite United's interest, explaining: "I had a contract at Dortmund and wouldn't have left for anybody."
He remained with the German club for two more seasons before departing in 2015, when another opportunity arose in English football.
Liverpool appointed him in October 2015 as Brendan Rodgers' successor, offering what Klopp described as a contrasting vision to United's approach.
"And then a pure football project came along: Liverpool FC," he explained, highlighting the fundamental difference in philosophy between the two clubs.
The appointment marked the beginning of a transformative era at Anfield, where Klopp would implement his distinctive footballing methodology over the next decade.
Klopp's tenure at Liverpool yielded extraordinary achievements, with the manager securing seven major honours during his time on Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp cited major differences over recruitment during a meeting with United's hierarchy
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His trophy haul included the 2019 Champions League triumph and the club's long-awaited Premier League title in 2020, ending a three-decade wait for domestic supremacy.
Additional silverware comprised an FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Community Shield.
United opted to hire David Moyes as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement following his retirement in 2013
| PAMeanwhile, Manchester United experienced a turbulent period following Ferguson's retirement, cycling through managers including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils' closest league finish was second place, whilst collecting two FA Cups, two League Cups, a Europa League trophy and a Community Shield during this era.