Klopp Explains Why Liverpool Was the Perfect Fit

Jürgen Klopp revealed why Liverpool’s offer in 2015 was the ideal choice he couldn’t refuse. At that time, the club was struggling, far from title contention, and searching for a lost identity.

In a fascinating disclosure that sheds light on a pivotal moment in Premier League history, the legendary German coach confirmed that he was considered to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013. However, he decisively rejected the offer, saying, “Liverpool was my destiny.”

In remarks reported by the Daily Mail on Monday, Klopp delved into one of modern football’s most intriguing “what if?” scenarios, explaining the deep philosophical reasons he ignored the lure of Old Trafford and waited for the project that truly fit him.

2013 Offer: Wrong Timing and a Distant Project Klopp explained that the approach came immediately after Ferguson’s retirement, at a time when Manchester United was the dominant force in English football, while Klopp had become one of the most exciting coaches after leading Borussia Dortmund to a Champions League final with his high-intensity “Gegenpressing” style.

He said, “Manchester United contacted me after Ferguson left, but the timing wasn’t right at all. I had a long-term contract with Dortmund and didn’t want to break it.”

However, it wasn’t just loyalty that influenced his decision—there was a deep philosophical mismatch. United sought a “successor” to a pre-existing empire, whereas Klopp is a builder who develops projects from scratch.

“The concept they offered was massive and far from my style. I didn’t feel it was my own project,” Klopp explained. At the time, United was a commercial powerhouse looking for a manager to maintain the top, which didn’t appeal to Klopp, who had built his reputation at Mainz and Dortmund by turning underdogs into giants.

Why Liverpool? A Clear Project and Understanding Management Klopp clarified why Liverpool’s offer two years later, in 2015, was the perfect fit. The club was struggling and searching for an identity.

He said, “The Liverpool project was completely different. From the first moment, I felt it was right. I found a clear project, understanding management, and a real desire to build step by step. It was an incredible feeling—I knew it was where I belonged.”

Liverpool needed a “revolution,” which is exactly Klopp’s specialty. He wasn’t asked to be a “new Ferguson” but to be “the first Jürgen Klopp.”

Transfer Philosophy: ‘No to Pogba or Ronaldo Returns’ Klopp also explained his approach to transfers, noting that he wouldn’t have brought back players like Paul Pogba or Cristiano Ronaldo to United—moves the club later made. He believes such sentimental moves, reviving former stars, rarely succeed. Klopp prefers to develop talent rather than buy ready-made stars or resurrect past heroes. His successful signings of Mohamed Salah from Roma and Sadio Mané from Southampton illustrate this philosophy, rather than spending huge sums on marquee names that may not fit the collective system.

This statement highlights the contrast between Klopp’s collective-focused vision and United’s post-Ferguson era, which prioritized individual stardom.

‘Liverpool Was My Destiny’ Finally, Klopp concluded by summarizing his remarkable journey at Anfield, where he transformed Liverpool from a doubted team into European and English champions.

He said, “Manchester United is a great club, no doubt. But Liverpool was my destiny.” One decision in 2013 changed the trajectories of both clubs and shaped the last decade of the Premier League.