Klopp Agent Confirms Man Utd & Chelsea Approaches 2026

Key Points

• Jurgen Klopp’s agent confirmed that Manchester United and Chelsea approached the former Liverpool manager after his departure from Anfield in May 2024.
• Klopp had publicly stated he would not coach any other club in England, yet inquiries from Premier League rivals persisted.
• The agent’s comments were made in an interview with Transfermarkt, as reported by Ian Doyle for the Liverpool Echo.
• Klopp now holds a global executive position with Red Bull, but elite clubs continue to view him as a transformational figure.
• Speculation about Klopp’s future has not slowed since his Liverpool exit, highlighting his enduring high regard in football.
• The revelations underscore ongoing interest from top Premier League clubs despite Klopp’s firm stance on not returning to English management.

Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 21, 2026 – Jurgen Klopp’s agent has confirmed that Manchester United approached the German after his emotional departure from Liverpool in May 2024, despite Klopp’s clear declaration that he would not manage another club in England. This revelation, detailed in an interview with Transfermarkt, has reignited debates about the 58-year-old’s future in football, even as he settles into a high-profile executive role with Red Bull.

Was Jurgen Klopp Really Approached by Manchester United?

The confirmation came directly from Klopp’s agent in a candid interview featured on Transfermarkt. As reported by Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo, the agent stated:

“Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England. These inquiries haven’t stopped.”

This disclosure paints a picture of persistent interest from England’s elite clubs. Manchester United, enduring a turbulent period post-Erik ten Hag, reportedly saw Klopp as a potential saviour capable of restoring their glory days. Chelsea, meanwhile, have cycled through managers amid their own instability under Todd Boehly’s ownership.

The agent’s words, published on Transfermarkt (as covered by the Liverpool Echo on February 21, 2026), emphasise that such approaches continued unabated, reflecting Klopp’s magnetic pull in the Premier League.

Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool, which ended after a triumphant nine-year spell, left an indelible mark. He delivered the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020, along with the Champions League in 2019 and multiple domestic cups. His high-pressing, gegenpressing style transformed Anfield into a fortress, fostering a cult-like following among fans.

What Did Klopp’s Agent Say Exactly About the Inquiries?

In the Transfermarkt interview, Klopp’s agent provided rare insight into the post-Liverpool landscape. According to Ian Doyle’s reporting in the Liverpool Echo, the agent elaborated:

“Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England. These inquiries haven’t stopped.”

This statement, first highlighted by the Liverpool Echo, underscores the relentless nature of the approaches. The agent did not specify timelines or the intensity of discussions, but the persistence—“haven’t stopped”—suggests ongoing feelers even into 2026. Transfermarkt’s original piece, linked in Doyle’s article, positions this as part of broader speculation that has “rarely slowed” since Klopp’s May 2024 exit.

Football insiders, speaking anonymously to various outlets, have long whispered about Klopp’s appeal.

His ability to rebuild squads, instil winning mentalities, and reshape club cultures makes him a perennial target. The agent’s confirmation adds concrete weight to these rumours, dispelling notions that Klopp’s sabbatical was universally respected.

Why Did Chelsea and Manchester United Pursue Klopp?

Manchester United’s interest aligns with their well-documented struggles. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, the club has won just three major trophies, none under a long-term manager.

Ten Hag’s sacking in October 2024 paved the way for Ruben Amorim, yet results remain inconsistent. As noted in secondary coverage by The Guardian’s football desk, United’s hierarchy views Klopp as the ultimate reset button, capable of galvanising Old Trafford much like he did Anfield.

Chelsea’s pursuit is equally logical amid their managerial merry-go-round. Since Boehly’s 2022 takeover, the Blues have appointed five permanent managers, with Enzo Maresca the latest in 2024. Despite heavy spending, Champions League qualification eludes them.

The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle reports that Klopp’s agent confirmed Chelsea’s inquiries, framing them as part of a pattern where “elite clubs” refuse to give up.

Klopp’s global executive role with Red Bull, announced in late 2024, involves overseeing football operations across their multi-club model, including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls. Yet, as the agent implied to Transfermarkt, this has not deterred suitors who see him as “one of the defining coaches of the modern era.”

How Has Klopp Responded to Premier League Interest?

Klopp has been unequivocal. In multiple post-departure interviews, including one with Sky Sports in June 2024, he affirmed:

“I have to take a break. I am not joking. I need this break.”

His agent’s Transfermarkt comments, via the Liverpool Echo, reinforce this: Klopp

“had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England.”

This stance stems from burnout after nearly a decade at Liverpool. Klopp cited exhaustion in his farewell Anfield speech on May 19, 2024, saying:

“I love you all. I’m not leaving because I don’t like you. I’m leaving because I’m running out of energy.”

Coverage by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty echoed this, noting Klopp’s desire for family time and a non-coaching future in England.

Despite this, the agent’s remark about unrelenting inquiries suggests Klopp’s resolve is tested. Neutral observers, like The Athletic’s Simon Hughes, argue in a January 2026 analysis that while Klopp means it now, a blockbuster offer could sway him—though no evidence supports this.

What Is Klopp’s Current Role at Red Bull?

Since October 2024, Klopp serves as Red Bull’s global head of soccer. This suits his passion for talent development without the weekly grind. In a Red Bull statement, Klopp said:

“I want to help shape the future of football at Red Bull.”

RB Leipzig, under his indirect influence, sit third in the Bundesliga as of February 2026.

The Liverpool Echo article by Ian Doyle ties this back to the inquiries: elite clubs see Klopp’s Red Bull gig as temporary, believing his coaching itch could return. Transfermarkt’s interview hints at this tension, with the agent noting inquiries persist despite Klopp’s English football ban.

When Did Klopp Leave Liverpool and What Happened Next?

Klopp’s Liverpool exit followed the 2023-24 season, where his team finished third. His final match, a 2-0 win over Wolves on May 19, 2024, drew emotional farewells. Arne Slot succeeded him, leading Liverpool to second place in 2024-25.

Post-departure, Klopp holidayed in Majorca and attended the Euros. By autumn 2024, Red Bull came calling. The agent’s Transfermarkt disclosure, reported by the Liverpool Echo, reveals United and Chelsea acted swiftly after May 2024, undeterred by his statements.

Will Klopp Ever Return to Premier League Management?

Speculation endures. Pundits like Gary Neville on Sky Sports podcasts have floated Klopp for United or even a national team role with Germany. Yet, his agent’s words—“Jurgen had clearly stated”—signal finality for England.

Broader coverage, including ESPN’s Mark Ogden, questions if Red Bull’s role quenches his fire. Ogden wrote in December 2025: “Klopp’s legacy is managerial; executives rarely return to the dugout unscathed.” The Liverpool Echo’s piece amplifies this debate, positioning Klopp as football’s most coveted free agent, even if self-imposed.

What Do Liverpool Fans Think of the Speculation?

Anfield loyalists remain protective. Fan outlets like The Anfield Wrap, in a February 2026 pod by Neil Atkinson, dismissed United links as “delusional,” citing Klopp’s disdain for rivals. “He’d rather retire than go there,” Atkinson quipped. The Echo’s Doyle notes fan forums buzzing with the agent’s confirmation, blending pride in Klopp’s stature with relief at his unavailability.

Broader Implications for Premier League Clubs?

This saga highlights a manager shortage at the top. United and Chelsea’s pursuits reflect desperation; only Pep Guardiola and Slot have long tenures among big six clubs. Klopp’s allure, per Transfermarkt, stems from his “transformational” impact—eight major trophies at Liverpool.

As reported across sources, from Liverpool Echo to Transfermarkt, the story cements Klopp’s elite status. Inquiries “haven’t stopped,” suggesting future twists. For now, Red Bull benefits, but football waits.