Klopp claims he turned down Manchester United job in 2013

The timing just wasn't right for Jurgen Klopp to leave Borussia Dortmund when Sir Alex Ferguson approached him about taking over at Manchester United in 2013, the Liverpool boss admitted.

Klopp revealed that the revered United manager contacted him about the upcoming vacancy at Old Trafford, but the German manager wasn't willing to leave Dortmund at the time and passed on the opportunity.

"We spoke,'' Klopp told reporters when asked about Ferguson's approach. "We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot. It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest. But I could not leave Dortmund.

"You are in April and you are in the middle of the planning for next season. You have this player and this player who are coming but then you are not there anymore? That doesn't work. Not in my life."

Instead, David Moyes was appointed as Ferguson's successor before he was sacked 10 months into his United career.

Klopp eventually left the Westfalenstadion at the conclusion of the 2014-15 Bundesliga season. He took time away from the game until making a return to management following the dismissal of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.

Despite his loyalty to Dortmund and unwillingness to take the United role, Klopp admitted his delight at getting an opportunity to speak with the illustrious Scottish gaffer.

"It's a big honour to talk to Sir Alex," he said. "For a manager it's nearly the best thing you can do, to sit there and listen."