Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a stunning potential move to Manchester United, where he could replace Ruben Amorim as manager.
Amorim oversaw the club’s worst-ever Premier League campaign, with United finishing 15th on just 42 points and suffering a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao.
Despite recording a modest win rate of 38.1%, United have opted to retain the Portuguese manager and are even backing him in the transfer market, starting with a £62.5 million acquisition of Mateus Cunha from Wolves.
Amorim’s future will depend heavily on how the team starts the upcoming season, but former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has already cast doubt on whether he’s the right person for the job at Old Trafford.
Keown has gone as far as to suggest that United should pursue Klopp — the iconic former Liverpool boss who transformed them into Premier League and Champions League winners. Although Klopp stepped away from management a year ago to take a role as Head of Global Football at Red Bull, Keown believes he would be a transformative figure at United, even if the prospect seems far-fetched.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Keown said, “Given the number of games they’ve lost, I’m still not convinced Amorim is the right manager for Manchester United. The club could do far worse than appoint Jurgen Klopp. I’m not trying to sensationalize — I genuinely think he’d do an incredible job. They need someone with more experience.”
“Why not Klopp? He’s done it before. Look at what he achieved — the journey he took Liverpool on.”
Klopp, however, has previously stated he would never manage another Premier League club. His former assistant, Pep Lijnders, is now set to work alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
In the same broadcast, Keown made another bold claim — urging United to sell captain Bruno Fernandes immediately. The midfielder is currently being courted by Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, who are reportedly offering him a contract worth around £700,000 per week.
Talks are ongoing between Al Hilal and Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinha, with the Saudi club ready to offer Manchester United approximately £100 million.
Keown argued, “United should sell Bruno Fernandes. Even when United get back to where they aim to be — look at PSG as a model — Fernandes won’t be able to press like players such as Dembele. He’s a luxury player, and I’m not sure he’s the right long-term fit. Better to sell now.”
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Fernandes has been given a seven-day deadline to respond to Al Hilal’s offer, as the club wants to finalize the deal ahead of the Club World Cup. Al Hilal are allowed to sign players until June 10 under a special transfer window for clubs participating in the tournament.