Manchester United have made Jurgen Klopp their No.1 target to replace David Moyes at Old Trafford, Goal can reveal.
The Borussia Dortmund manager is United’s top choice to take over from the Scot, who was sacked on Tuesday, just 11 months after being appointed Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor.
Goal understands that Klopp’s camp has already been sounded out by the United hierarchy. He is believed to have initially held reservations about the post but sources have said the 46-year-old has subsequently had a change of heart and there is growing confidence at Old Trafford that he could be persuaded to move to the Premier League.
Goal has learned that United have already met with Louis van Gaal, who will be a free agent when he steps down as Netherlands coach after the World Cup.
However, the meeting, which is believed to have taken place last week, has prompted strong reservations in the United boardroom about whether Van Gaal’s dictatorial management style would get the best out of the players, including the senior core who have been so disaffected under Moyes.
Ryan Giggs is likely to be placed in interim charge of United until the end of the season. However, the player-coach, 40, is not believed to be a realistic candidate to replace Moyes on a permanent basis due to his lack of managerial experience.
Klopp, who is contracted to Dortmund until 2018, has the greatest appeal to the United hierarchy for transforming the German club into a European powerhouse since taking over six years ago.
Klopp led Dortmund to consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, when they also won the domestic double, and they were the runners-up in last season’s Champions League final.
Dortmund have continued to punch above their weight this season, reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League only to be narrowly defeated by Real Madrid. They are also second in the Bundesliga table although a distant second behind recently-crowned champions Bayern Munich.
Klopp has been widely linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years but has remained loyal to the club where he made his name.
United believe that they have the prestige and history to turn Klopp’s head and bring him to Old Trafford this summer.
The powerbrokers, led by the Glazer family and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, are willing to hand the new man a staggering transfer kitty of up to £200 million to reshape a squad that has failed so dismally this season.
Source: Goal