Will Jurgen Klopp become the next England manager?
The news that Jurgen Klopp will step down as manager at the end of the season has been met with shock and sadness, especially considering he signed a contract extension in 2022 that was due to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
In an emotional message to fans, Klopp said he was running out of energy – but didn’t rule out full retirement just yet. Which might leave some to speculate whether he could become the next England manager.
Here’s what we know
Klopp said the reason he will step down at the end of the Premier League season is because he is ‘running out of energy’ and knew he ‘cannot do the job again and again and again and again.’
He went on to say that right now he couldn’t see himself working as a manager again, but won’t rule it out completely. What he did rule out was working as a club manager in England again and made it clear he wanted at least a year away from football management.
“If you ask me now if I will ever manage again? I would say no.” Klopp said.
“But you don’t know obviously as I’ve never had this situation. But I do know definitely I will never manage a different club in England than Liverpool. It is impossible.
“I will find something else to do. But I will not manage a club or country for at least a year.”
Will he coach England?
Whilst he’s said he won’t coach another club in England it still keeps him in the running to become the next England manager.
Gareth Southgate’s England contract ends after Euro 2024 and for a long time, Pep Guardiola has been eyed up as the next boss for the Three Lions.
There will undoubtedly be a long list of clubs and nations trying to sign the German boss up – if he does choose to return to management in the future.
England will be amongst the hopefuls, and perhaps with his knowledge in handling some of England’s brightest young talent including the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, it might help lure Klopp back to England.
The FA will most definitely be hoping to secure either Pep or Klopp for the top job following on from Southgate. With talent such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka, just to name a few, a heavy-hitting manager is needed to lead England to World Cup glory once more.
‘One of the best in the world’
His decision to step down has caught the footballing world by surprise.
Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his shock at Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool in a news conference Friday.
“I have to digest that first. … Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news,” Tuchel said.
In his final season at Anfield, Klopp has all to play for – the Reds are in the running to win all four major trophies.
During his time at Liverpool, he has won seven major trophies and hopefully, the club can make sure he leaves with more silverware to his name.
Klopp says goodbye in emotional interview
Watch or read our emotional interview with Jürgen Klopp in full as he discusses today’s news in detail and explains the reasons for his decision.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024