President Uli Hoeness has claimed that Jurgen Klopp almost became manager of Bayern Munich in 2008.

Klopp's Liverpool take on Bayern in the Champions League last 16, with the first leg taking place at Anfield on Tuesday night.

However, Hoeness has suggested that Klopp's career could have taken a different path, with the two parties holding positive negotiations 11 years ago.

Hoeness is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "Personally, I have a high opinion of Jurgen Klopp. Many years ago we agreed on a collaboration together, but we ended up signing Jurgen Klinsmann instead.

"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."

Klopp instead went on to manage Borussia Dortmund during the same year before eventually linking up with Liverpool in 2015.

Written by
Darren Plant