According to Mainz director Christian Heidel, Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp came close to becoming Bayern Munich coach back in 2008, claiming he was contacted by the club's director Uli Hoeness over making an Allianz Arena switch.
Six years ago, die Roten watched Ottmar Hitzfeld exit the door as the club's manager, and had selected Klopp as a candidate to replace the German tactician, alongside Jurgen Klinsmann.
Klopp, who enjoyed a successful campaign with Mainz in the previous season, had even been contacted by phone over the possibility of taking over the reins at the Bundesliga giants, with Heidel revealing that the die Schwarzgelben boss was “enthusiastic” about the Bavarians interest.
"I was sitting right next to him when he got a call from Bayern director Uli Hoeness," Heidel informed German publication Bild.
"Bayern had two candidates and Klopp was one of them, the domestic option. Jurgen Klinsmann was the other candidate and he was the internationally renowned option.
"Of course, he started to get enthusiastic about it. When Bayern give you a call to express their interest, it always does something with you."
IMAGINE: Jurgen Klopp could be Bayern Munich coach, not Pep Guardiola, had the Geman boss been appointed manager back in 2008
However, a move to Bayern Munich failed and the German heavyweights opted to go with Klinsmann, before Jurgen decided on moving to the Signal Iduna Park, signing a two-year contract with Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles and one DFB-Pokal in his six years in charge.
