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Jurgen Klopp nearly became Bayern Munich manager, says club president Uli Hoeness

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool v Palace
Image: Jurgen Klopp could have become Bayern Munich's manager 11 years ago

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed Jurgen Klopp came close to becoming the club's manager in 2008.

Liverpool welcome Bayern to Anfield on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

But Hoeness has claimed things could have been very different, with Klopp a top target to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld 11 years ago prior to the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann.

Uli Hoeness at the opening ceremony of the FC Bayern Campus
Image: Bayern president Uli Hoeness was interested in bring Klopp to the club

Klopp left Mainz that summer to take over Borussia Dortmund where he spent the next seven years, winning the Bundesliga title on two occasions, before joining Liverpool in 2015.

"Personally, I have a high opinion of Jurgen Klopp," Hoeness said.

Jurgen Klopp celebrates after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth
Image: Klopp is aiming to secure Liverpool's first Premier League title since 1990

"Many years ago we agreed on a collaboration together, but we ended up signing Jurgen Klinsmann instead.

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"There I showed I respect him and his work a lot. It's going to be a tough task for both sides. I hope we'll come out on top."

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