Manchester United icon Gary Neville makes huge Jurgen Klopp revelation ahead of Liverpool encounter
Ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville reveals that he wanted his old club to appoint Jurgen Klopp as manager. He was talking to UMM‘s Youtube Channel. (h/t Liverpool Echo).
Interestingly, Jurgen Klopp had conversations with Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2013, to succeed the Scotsman at Old Trafford. But Klopp “could not” leave Dortmund as they were in a transition phase back then. Two years later though, he made the move to Merseyside, replacing Brendan Rodgers.
Neville additionally praised the “brilliant backroom team” Liverpool have at their disposal. He also pointed out the fact that almost every manager at United after Six Alex has struggled.
“I can’t go back in time but I wish they had appointed Jurgen Klopp. He’s been supported at Liverpool by a brilliant backroom team that have got the players in for him and every manager at United has struggled, but he’s an exceptional manager, of course you wish we would have appointed him.”
Eventually, United appointed David Moyes, who was in charge for no more than nine months at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag is United’s eighth manager in nine years after Sir Alex. Jose Mourinho was arguably the most successful, winning three trophies with a transitioning squad.
And he has found life hard as a United boss. Despite big expectations, he has lost games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford – two teams they were expected to beat by their fans.
Speaking of the current season, Liverpool are set to face United in the derby at Old Trafford on 23rd August. Coming into the fixture, both teams are winless. Liverpool drew their games to Fulham and Crystal Palace. United lost to Brighton and Brentford ahead of the Liverpool fixture.
It is difficult for Liverpool to look beyond Klopp at the moment. He has won the club every top-flight trophy possible. Some would feel that Steven Gerrard could replace the German after his contract expires in 2026, given his obvious history with the Reds.
But if Gerrard isn’t ready for the big move yet, Kopites would not mind seeing Klopp’s deputy Pepijn Lijnders take over the manager’s role at the club sometime in the future.
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- Liverpool Assistant Manager Pepijn Lijnders backs James Milner to step into coaching soon
- Former Chelsea defender William Gallas claims Liverpool ‘wont finish in top four’
Liverpool will play back-to-back home games against Bournemouth and Newcastle United after this fixture. A trip to Southampton and Leicester follows for Manchester United after the North-West derby.
