Ex-Liverpool chief Jürgen Klopp indicated that he is not interested in stepping in as the successor to Gareth Southgate, the ex-England manager. The German, aged 57, was considered a long-shot candidate for the position left by Southgate following England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 finals, but he has dismissed any rumours.
At the International Coaches’ Congress held in Wurzburg, Klopp, in response to enquiries about any current job offers, shared that there are none at the moment. He humorously indicated that it would be a massive humiliation in football history if someone claimed to make an exceptional case for him, given his current stance.
While communicating his plans, he indicated his interest in working despite his age, joking that he wasn’t ready to dedicate all his time to padel tennis and spending time with his grandkids. While he momentarily discounted a return to coaching, he did suggest the future was always open for reassessment.
Klopp resigned from his successful run with Liverpool the previous season, citing burnout. Still, this hasn’t stopped bookmakers from offering odds on him as Southgate’s successor as the Football Association commences the search for a replacement.
Other figures touted within the speculation include Newcastle boss Eddie Howe – who recently expressed his unwavering dedication to the Magpies – and Lee Carsley, head of England Under-21s, as well as Graham Potter, ex-manager of Brighton and Chelsea.
The resignation of Gareth Southgate after an impressive eight-year tenure saw two European Championship finals and a near miss at the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Despite downplaying his candidacy for the role, ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp did not explicitly deny a future return to football.
His final comment: “Today marks the end of my coaching career. However, this wasn’t an impulsive decision, but a strategic one. Having already led some of the world’s premier clubs, I envisage contributing to football with my acquired knowledge and extensive network. In a few months, we could revisit this discussion. Let’s see what else lies ahead for me.”