Jurgen Klopp had once hoped of becoming Manchester United manager, his former boss Eckhard Krautzun has said.

Liverpool boss Klopp took his first steps into management in 2001 when he replaced Krautzun in the dugout at Mainz -- where he stayed for a further seven years before leaving for Borussia Dortmund.

Krautzun, who managed Klopp at Mainz, told The Set Pieces about how the German had his eyes on replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

"I'm not surprised he does so well," the 76-year-old said. "It would be his dream to go to England one day and his favourite club would be United. That's what he said."

Krautzun considers himself to be close friends with Ferguson and says that the pair had discussed the possibility of Klopp taking over at United.

Klopp, however, left Dortmund at the end of the 2014-15 season and took a short sabbatical before taking over the reigns at Liverpool in October 2015.

"I said [to Ferguson], 'Jurgen Klopp, if he goes abroad, if he goes to England, his love would be Manchester United,'" Krautzun said. "I think that's where his love or respect for Jurgen Klopp grew tremendously.

"After three or four months not working, I knew that he wanted to be in action again. When the offer came from Liverpool, I knew he would not hesitate because he wanted to get into a top club in England.

"The emotions in the stadium in Liverpool and the enthusiasm of the fans, the temperament there -- that fits Klopp. I was not surprised that the spectators liked him right away. His emotions, the way he coaches the team, the way he jumps around, the way he shows his desire to win, that fits the club.

"The fans are a little more different to Man United. Man United is more quiet, the fans love their team too, but there is more emotion and more passion I think in Liverpool. And 'Kloppo' I think is a passionate, very temperamental man. That club fits him."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Glenn Price

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]