Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, has firmly dismissed the possibility of taking over the England national team after being named as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate. Klopp, who concluded his nine-year tenure at Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season, has made it clear that he intends to take a break from football, despite his name being linked to the high-profile role.
Klopp’s Tenure at Liverpool
During his time with Liverpool, Klopp led the team to remarkable success, securing nine trophies, including the Premier League and the Champions League. His departure from Liverpool marked the end of an era, with the German coach opting to step away from the sport temporarily to recharge and reflect.
No Immediate Plans to Return
Speaking at the International Coaches’ Congress, Klopp addressed the rumors linking him to the England job, emphasizing that he has no plans to return to coaching in the near future. “Nothing at all. Job-wise, nothing at all,” he stated. “No club, no country. Some people must not have heard that part.”
Klopp was unequivocal about his stance on the England job, humorously noting, “That [taking the England job] would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if I said, ‘I’ll make an exception for you’.”
Future Ambitions
While Klopp remains open to future opportunities, he is currently focused on taking a well-deserved break. “I will work at something. I’m too young to just play padel and only spend time with my grandchildren. Will it be coaching again? I would actually rule that out at the moment. We’ll see how things look in a few months. Right now, nothing is coming through,” he explained.
Liverpool’s New Era
As Liverpool prepares for the 2024/25 Premier League season, the club will be under the guidance of new head coach Arne Slot. The Reds will begin their campaign with an away match against newly-promoted Ipswich Town on August 17. Before the season starts, Liverpool will face Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sevilla in their final pre-season friendlies.
England’s Future
Meanwhile, the England national team is set to return to action in September with Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. The search for Southgate’s successor continues, with the team looking to build on their progress despite the disappointing loss in the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
Conclusion
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step away from football temporarily has quashed any speculation about his potential role as England manager. As Liverpool and England move forward with their respective plans, Klopp’s future remains an open question, with the football world watching to see what his next move will be.
