Why Jurgen Klopp rejected Man Utd before joining Liverpool despite admitting it 'wasn't smart'

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once rejected the chance to join Manchester United before he eventually joined rivals Liverpool in 2015.

Klopp announced today that after nearly eight years in charge at Anfield he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.

The news came as a shock to everyone in football, but Klopp admitted that he was "running out of energy" and it was the right time for him to leave.

The German has had huge success and is regarded as one of the greatest managers in the Reds' history. He guided them to a sixth Champions League crown in 2019 and a first ever Premier League title a year later.

There's no doubt that his incredible coaching ability and man management skills will be missed by Liverpool fans, but things could've been a lot worse.

When managing Borussia Dortmund back in 2013 Klopp was approached by the Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson over succeeding him at Old Trafford, as per Sky Sports.

However, he turned down the role due to timing before joining Liverpool two years later.

"We spoke," Klopp said. "We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot.

"It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest. But I could not leave Dortmund.

"You are in April and you are in the middle of the planning for next season. You have this player and this player who are coming but then you are not there anymore? That doesn't work. Not in my life."

"I didn't hear about a real offer [from United] but, if there was, I could not have done it. I first had to finish the job with Dortmund and then think about other things.

"Maybe that is not smart but that is my way. It was the same at Mainz."

United went on to appoint David Moyes who lasted just 10 months before being sacked.

Things could've been a lot different if Klopp had gone to United, something which Liverpool fans will be grateful never happened.