Jurgen snubbed Blues offer
01 Jul 2007 - 18:05:06
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- Jurgen snubbed Blues offer
Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann claims to have turned down the chance to take charge of Chelsea this summer as he didn't want to move his family back to Europe.
The 42-year-old former Germany boss was concerned at the effect that taking the Blues job would have on his family, who are currently based in California.
His decision not to take up the offer has left Jose Mourinho's position more secure than it appeared to be earlier on in the summer, despite his trophy-laden three seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Klinsmann told the Sunday Mirror: "I realised that as a family we had to move back to Europe if I was going to take such a big job. I did not want to do that to my family.
"For me personally it was not the biggest problem if I had to go back to Europe. But for my family it was not a healthy situation.
"In California my wife and children are who they are. In Europe they would be the wife and children of Jurgen Klinsmann.
"There would be constant attention, media focus and pressure that I would never want to put on them.
"It's a family decision why I decided not to take up one of the biggest jobs in football."