JUBILANT Liverpool fans owe a debt of gratitude to Jurgen Klopp’s wife Ulla in the wake of their Premier League title success… after she advised him against taking the Manchester United job in 2013.
The Red Devils hotseat was about to become vacant, upon the news that Sir Alex Ferguson was to retire at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Klopp has been married to Ulla since 2005
Naturally Klopp was in the frame, having secured back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012, as well as guiding them to the Champions League final in 2013.
Klopp met Ulla while she was working as a waitress during the Munich Oktoberfest, and the couple wed in 2005.
And according to Reds legend Phil Thompson, the German didn’t pursue the Man United opportunity, because Ulla didn’t think it was “right”.
Thompson told TV2 in Norway: “I interviewed Klopp for Sky, and I asked if he and Liverpool were created for each other. He looked at me and asked ‘Why?’.
“Then Klopp told me he could have taken over Manchester United, but his wife said it wasn’t right.
“When Liverpool arrived, his wife said it was right. There is something strange there.
“It is as if he’s created for Liverpool.”
David Moyes ended up getting the United job instead… with less than ideal resultsCredit: PA:Press Association
As it happened, David Moyes was to get the United job, going on to be sacked before even completing a full season in charge.
The Red Devils have since bounced from manager to manager, without being able to seriously challenge for Premier League or Champions League glory.
Klopp, meanwhile, saw his time at Dortmund peter out – before taking on the opportunity to rebuild Liverpool in October 2015.
The 52-year-old has completed the task with relish, fully embracing the traditions of the Kop while restoring glory with a sixth Champions League triumph in 2019 and now ending their 30-year wait for a league title.
Following Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea last night that sealed the Reds’ triumph, an emotional Klopp spoke to Sky Sports.
While wearing a Liverpool shirt, he said: “It is unbelievable. It’s much more than I ever thought would be possible.
“Knowing how much Kenny supported us, it is for you.
“He has waited 30 years and it’s for Stevie [Gerrard]. The boys admire you all and it’s easy to motivate the team because of our great history.
Klopp had ample cause for celebration last nightCredit: EPA
“It was really tense for 100 minutes of the City game, I didn’t really want to be involved but you are when you watch it.
“It’s an incredible achievement by my players and it’s a huge joy for me to coach them.
“I haven’t waited 30 years, I have been here for four and a half years, but it is quite an achievement, especially with the three month break because nobody knew if we could go on.”
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in tears as he dedicates title to Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
