Liverpool's Sadio Mane has revealed how close he came to joining Borussia Dortmund during Jurgen Klopp's time in charge of the club.
The Senegal international joined the Reds in the summer and, as a result, finally achieved one of his dreams of playing for a manager who had been tracking him since the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
In an exclusive interview with Goal, Mane explained how excited he was to hold talks with Klopp during the pair's time at Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund respectively back in 2014 - despite the move eventually falling through due to Salzburg's difficult negotiating position.
Mane said: I was so excited. I couldn't believe it - that he wanted to meet and thought I could help his team, who were so good. I used to watch them all the time.�
Despite the setback, another opportunity - this time with then manager Ronald Koeman's Southampton - presented itself with Mane moving to St. Mary's stadium that very same summer and, after two seasons with the Saints on the South coast, the 24-year-old got his wish to work alongside Klopp when he completed a £30m move to Anfield in July.
Mane admitted that it had been annoying to see a chance to play under the German at Dortmund extinguished two years earlier, but he said that hard work, determination and a never-say-die attitude was what kept him going with the hope of one day working under the 49-year-old.
Sadio Mane's story: How I went from torn boots and shorts on Senegal's streets to a Liverpool sensation https://t.co/2ZX3W9qEnZ
He continued: Things didn't work out back then and it was frustrating, but that's life - nothing just comes easy.
I told myself to just carry on working hard, push myself and something big would come. I did that. I went to Southampton, I played well and then, Klopp wanted me again.
Now I'm lucky enough to be working with one of the best managers in football. It was meant to happen and I am very happy to be learning all the time from him.�
Mane has now helped Liverpool climb to the top of the Premier League table just three months into his maiden campaign with the Reds after plundering six goals in his opening 11 matches, and the Sedhiou-born footballer credits his ability to focus solely on his football - and not regrets - as the reason why he eventually earned a move to a club helmed by Klopp.
He added: A good thing for footballers is not to think too much, especially when you've got to move to a big team like Liverpool, because that's when you start to confuse your mind. In my head, I knew I was coming to a team that wanted me, to a manager who knew me well, and I was coming to work hard and to help.
That is all I focused on, not how things would go or what could happen - good or bad. I left my mind open and was ready for anything. I'm very happy to be part of a team with big, big talent with everyone working for each other. It makes it easy for a player when you've got really good teammates and when everyone wants the same thing.�
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