Jürgen Klopp’s agent has claimed that Manchester United and Chelsea both made moves to tempt the former Liverpool manager back into Premier League dugouts, despite his public vow never to coach another English club.

Marc Kosicke, who has represented Klopp throughout his rise from Mainz to Borussia Dortmund and then Liverpool, said in an interview with Transfermarkt that the German coach was sounded out by the two Premier League giants after his departure from Anfield.

Both United and Chelsea are understood to strongly deny making any formal approach to Klopp or his representatives. However, Kosicke’s comments add a fresh twist to the post Liverpool chapter of one of the most influential managers of his generation.

Klopp walked away from Liverpool after nine transformative years, during which he delivered the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup and multiple domestic trophies. He has since taken a senior strategic role as head of global football with Red Bull, overseeing the group’s network of clubs rather than working on the touchline.

According to Kosicke, interest in Klopp extended well beyond club level. He said the 58 year old could have taken charge of the United States or England national teams, and suggested Germany would also have been an option had Julian Nagelsmann not already been in place.

ESPN previously reported that both the USMNT and England explored Klopp’s availability during their respective managerial searches, only to be turned down. Kosicke said the United States made contact before appointing Mauricio Pochettino as Gregg Berhalter’s successor, while the Football Association eventually turned to Thomas Tuchel to replace Gareth Southgate.

Despite the queue of suitors, Kosicke insisted Klopp is content away from the day to day intensity of coaching, even if a return to the technical area cannot be ruled out forever.

Klopp himself has repeatedly stressed that he will not manage another English club, and has hinted that any hypothetical comeback would only be with Liverpool. He has also spoken of enjoying life without the relentless grind of training sessions, media duties and match day pressure, while acknowledging that the lure of the dressing room could one day draw him back.