Robert Lewandowski, the prolific striker for Barcelona, recently revealed some interesting details about his past dealings with Jurgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Despite being hailed as one of the deadliest finishers in the world, Lewandowski almost joined Manchester United instead of Bayern Munich.
Lewandowski to Manchester United – A transfer blocked by Jurgen Klopp
Lewandowski said in an interview with Sport BILD:
“I remember the moment exactly. We had a friendly with Dortmund in preparation, I think against Bochum. I was subbed at half-time. I looked at my mobile phone in the dressing room. There was a text message with the sender +44. Ferguson had tried to call me and then sent me a message. He wanted to talk to me.
I was still in the dressing room, I took a shower and called him back, in a quiet corner. My English wasn’t as good as it is today. He has a strong Scottish accent. I was so focused on understanding what he meant! Alex Ferguson tried to be considerate, spoke slowly.
I was 22 years old, it was a special moment. I spoke to Aki Watzke and Jürgen Klopp in the camp. I wanted to go to Man United! But they said: ‘No chance, Robert. We need you. You have to stay’.”
Lewandowski won the Bundesliga twice under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, and the Liverpool manager blocked his potential move to Man Utd after a call from Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, Lewandowski later held talks with Ferguson about joining United in 2012, but a move failed to materialize, and he joined Bayern on a free transfer in 2014.
the Poland international has emerged as one of the deadliest finishers in the world with Lewandowski scoring 344 goals in 375 matches for Bayern Munich before heading to Barcelona last summer.
The approach to bring Lewandowski to Liverpool
Lewandowski has also recalled a time when Klopp attempted to re-sign the striker for Liverpool, having coached the Poland international at Dortmund.
“We hosted Liverpool FC with Bayern in the Audi Cup in Munich in 2017,”
Lewandowski added,
“We spoke on that occasion. Klopp asked me, ‘Don’t you want to come to Liverpool?’ We looked at each other, then I laughed.
I don’t know if he was totally serious. But going to Liverpool was never in my mind.”
Lewandowski told The Player’s Tribune of the current Liverpool boss,
“Jürgen was not only a father figure to me. As a coach, he was like the ‘bad’ teacher. And I mean that in the best sense of the word.
He was not content to let you be a B student, you know? Jürgen wanted A+ students. He didn’t want it for him. He wanted it for you. He taught me so much.”
Despite Barcelona’s recent struggles, Lewandowski revealed,
“I always wanted to play in La Liga. You know Barcelona have a lot of problems. But when I saw the path they wanted to take, I said: I can be a part of this.”
Since joining Barcelona, he has picked up where he left off and proved that he’s still one of the best strikers around with 27 goals in 34 matches in all competitions.
Lewandowski’s career has been full of interesting twists and turns, and his journey to becoming one of the world’s best strikers is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
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