'Manchester United was Jurgen Klopp’s dream, but Liverpool fits his passion'

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Jessica Morgan12 October 2017

Jurgen Klopp’s career dream was to manage Manchester United but his tenure at Liverpool has proved a perfect fit, his mentor has revealed.

Eckhard Krautzun oversaw Klopp's rise to the top as a player at Mainz before Jurgen went on to succeed him as manager in 2001.

The young German led the team to their first appearance in the Bundesliga before spending four years at Borussia Dortmund in 2008 and signing a three-year contract with Liverpool in 2015.

Reflecting on his time mentoring the German, 76-year-old Krautzun revealed in an interview with The Set Pieces that Klopp always wanted to coach in England - but his eyes were on managing the Red Devils, who travel to Anfield on Saturday.

Fondly recalling a conversation he’d had with his protege, Krautzun said: “I’m not surprised he does well. It would be his dream to go to England one day and his favourite club would be [Manchester] United. That’s what he said.”

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The idea was even put under the nose of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who was told that Old Trafford was Klopp’s ‘love’.

He later grew fond of the 33-year-old after witnessing Klopp’s success when Borussia Dortmund smashed Bayern Munich 5-2 in the 2012 DFB Pokal final.

But despite Klopp’s desire on Old Trafford, Klautzun reckons the move to Anfield was a perfect fit.

“The emotions in the stadium in Liverpool and the enthusiasm of the fans, the temperament there - that fits Klopp," he said.

“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 little more different to Man U. Man U 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.”