Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp has taken swift action to halt RB Leipzig’s pursuit of former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
The move sent shockwaves through the football world and dominated the headlines in today’s transfer news.
Erik ten Hag has been without a job since late October after Manchester United sacked him following a poor campaign start. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, has struggled to steady the ship as United’s players adapt to a new tactical setup.
The 55-year-old coach recently admitted he has no plans to return to the dugout this season. He even hinted that he might call an end to his coaching career altogether, intensifying speculation about his future.
Sky Sports (via Goal) reported that Leipzig officials considered approaching ten Hag this summer. The club, sitting sixth in the Bundesliga and barely scraping a win in the Champions League’s opening phase, faces mounting pressure with current boss Marco Rose under fire.
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Klopp, who now heads Red Bull’s football operations, wasted no time in dismissing the idea of ten Hag as a replacement for Rose. He launched a savage put-down of the Dutchman’s recent record at United, insisting that the appointment would not suit Leipzig’s ambitions.
Instead, Klopp unveiled a three-man shortlist of alternatives. His candidates include Oliver Glasner, Sebastian Hoeness, and Roger Schmidt. Glasner served as Red Bull Salzburg’s assistant between 2012 and 2014, while Hoeness gained valuable experience managing Leipzig’s youth teams.
In their head-to-head encounters, Klopp and ten Hag met seven times when the former led Liverpool and the latter commanded Manchester United. Klopp emerged victorious in three matches, ten Hag won two, and the sides shared two draws. Before postponing his return to management until summer, ten Hag even held talks with several Major League Soccer clubs.
Elsewhere, transfer chatter heats up on other fronts. Andy Cole and Rio Ferdinand have both praised rising United star Chido Obi for his fearless attitude. Meanwhile, Liverpool are ramping up their pursuit of Fulham star Antonee Robinson as a potential replacement for Andy Robertson at left-back.
