Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has admitted that he asked Jurgen Klopp to leave Liverpool in 2018 and return to Germany to manage his former side.
The Dortmund chief revealed that he always knew the move was a non-starter, as he recognised that Klopp always completes his contracts at clubs.
Watzke shared that he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself if he hadn’t have approached Klopp, who won the Bundesliga twice during his time at the club.
Writing in his new book, Real Love – A life with Borussia Dortmund, as quoted by Bild, Watzke shared that he had a phone call with Klopp last year.
“I knew Jurgen would fulfil his contract until the end,” he said.
“Jürgen has always fulfilled his contracts. But I wanted a new path at BVB and I at least had to ask Jurgen to consider.”
OPINION
Given the fact that Klopp has completed seven years at each club, he has managed before, including Dortmund and Mainz, Watzke was right to admit that he knew he didn’t stand much chance. Liverpool will have been confident regarding the future of Klopp, given the fact that they have only been fearful of a potential approach from Germany for their manager [The Mirror]. Klopp has clearly excelled at Anfield and is enjoying the best spell of his career so far, averaging a point per game tally of two according to Transfermarkt – the best from his three clubs. Loyalty is a trait that can get people far in football, and Klopp has more than highlighted that during his time with the Reds, who will be grateful for all he has achieved since taking charge in 2015 after leaving Dortmund. As Watzke said, he wouldn’t be able to live himself if he didn’t at least ask, and Klopp gave the answer that all Liverpool fans will have loved to see.
