Redknapp claims Ancelotti the preferred option to Klopp
Harry Redknapp has told a radio interview that Liverpool offered its manager job to Carlo Ancelotti before settling for Jurgen Klopp.
Amid the excitement surrounding Liverpool's appointment of German coach Jurgen Klopp as Brendan Rodgers's replacement has come the revelation that the ex-Borussia Dortmund manager was the club's second choice.
Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, ex Tottenham Hotspur and QPR manager Harry Redknapp claimed Italian Carlo Ancelotti was sounded out about the role before the club settled on Klopp.
“I have heard from good sources that he [Ancelotti] was offered the Liverpool job,” Redknapp said. “I don’t think [he wanted it]. They spoke to him at some stage.”
Redknapp threw his support behind the appointment of Klopp, who guided Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2013 and 2014, and is renowned for his ability to bring develop young players.
“I do like the look of Klopp, he’s a good appointment," Redknapp said. "He’s looks bright, with great enthusiasm and he looks like he could be a really good addition to the Premier League. I’m looking forward to watching Liverpool play over the next few years.”
Veteran manager Ancelotti's name has been linked with a host of clubs since parting ways with Real Madrid, which he guided to the fabled 'decima' - a tenth European title two years ago - at the end of last season.
He is a renowned man-manager who has successfully nutured some of football's biggest personalities in ittlustrious stints at the helm of AC Milan, PSG, Madrid and Chelsea.
“Ancelotti’s had a little break from the football scene already and obviously feels he’s ready to come back in again," Redknapp said. “It’s got to be a big club for him, he’s a manager of Champions League clubs so he’s not going to take any job.
“There are only five or six jobs he could take in the Premier League, so it’s very interesting to see what he’s got in mind.”